Summer 2021 Vol. 62, #4
Mark Your Calendars for the 2022 Comeback Conference!
From the President WSST President, Matt Lindsey
As we draw closer to the end of another school year, I want to take this opportunity Mark your calendars! The Come Back to commend everyone on transitioning, Conference will be held April 7-9, 2022 at pivoting, surviving, and thriving through the Wausau Convention Center. a global pandemic! Under extreme cirConference co-chairs Tracy Swedlund cumstances, your students continued to and Amy Fassler are excited to help host learn crosscutting concepts, science and the conference in beautiful North Central engineering practices, and disciplinary Wisconsin. We will all be ready for some core ideas through your guidance and in person professional development and tutelage. Whether your teaching was incomradery. person, virtual, or hybrid, all of our stuWe are also excited to announce that dents continued to flourish and you Paul Anderson has been rescheduled as learned new ways to educate. Make sure the banquet keynote speaker. We are busy to update your LinkedIn accounts with putting together a great line-up of speak- all your new skills, especially script writers and field trips and will be providing ing, video creation, & editing! updates as planning progresses. I would also like to thank those of you We are still in need of a few committee who gave countless hours of yourselves members; reach out to Amy Fassler at continued on page 4 amysfassler@gmail.com or Tracy Inside this Issue! Swedlund at swedltr@medford.k12.wi.us Page 1 President’s Address & Grant Winners if you would like to volunteer on Team Page 5 WSST Store Open! Comeback. Page 6 WSST Essay Contest Winners Conference 2022 co-chairs Tracy Swedlund and Amy Fassler
The Come Back Conference April 7-9, 2022 Wausau Convention Center
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Election Results WSST Awards and Recognition WSST Member Submissions Science News and Opportunities NASA’s Night Sky Notes
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Summer WSST Newsletter
2020-2021 The Wisconsin Society WSST Directory, Matt Lindsey, President president@wsst.org of Science Teachers 715-321-3291 Our Mission: Promoting, supporting and improving science education in the state of Wisconsin. Our Vision: The Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers will carry out its mission of promoting, supporting and improving science education in the state of Wisconsin by providing leadership, advocacy and programs to enhance the teaching and learning of science.
WSST Advertising Rates Full page ads: Half page ads: Quarter page ads: 1” Bottom page banner: Business card:
$250 $150 $75 $40 $25
10% discount on two or more of identical ad in current volume Advertising must be submitted to editor in camera-ready form or electronically, with check or money order (payable to WSST)
Jay Gullickson, President-Elect jgullickson@whitnall.com Whitnall Middle School 5025 S. 116th St. Greenfield, WI 53228 Stephanie Baker, Secretary bakeste@wc.k12.wi.us Kevin Niemi, Chief Financial Officer kjniemi@wisc.edu Tammy Dymesich, Chief Operating Officer coo@wsst.org Kevin Mason, District 1 (CESA 11 & 12) masonk@uwstout.edu Brad Wysocki, District 2 (CESA 9 & 10) bradley.wysocki@bloomer.k12.wi.us Dennis Rohr, District 3 (CESA 7 & 8) drohr@seymour.k12.wi.us Julie Lundeen, District 4 (CESA 3 & 4) lundeenj@cashton.k12.wi.us Sara Krauskopf, District 5 (CESA 2 & 5) district5@wsst.org Brian Bartel, District 6 (CESA 6) newsletter@wsst.org Morgan Building Appleton Area School District 120 East Harris St. Appleton, WI 54911 Cody Smith, District 7 (CESA 1) cody.smith@nbexcellence.org
Summer WSST Newsletter
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WSST Committees Awards/Recognition Miranda Dahlke (co-chair) Laura Ramthun (co-chair) Tom Davies Nancy Smith Kathy Biernat Stephanie Bartels
Professional Development Chad Janowski (chair) Kevin Anderson Matt Lindsey Karen Mesmer Sarah Adumat
Document Review Greg Bisbee (Chair) Dave Bergerson Erik Duhn
Publications Brian Bartel (co-chair) - Newsletter Editor Julie Fitzpatrick (co-chair) - Website Sarah Adumat - Newsletter Copy Editor Karyl Rosenberg - Historian Tracy Swedlund Dan Nelson
Elementary Education Marcia Gardner (chair) Karen Nesbit Abby Krueger Emily Miller Finance Matt Lindsey
Dolly Ledin
Strategic Planning Matt Lindsey Kevin Niemi
Terry Schwaller
Higher Education Rachel Lancor (co-chair) Mike Beeth (co-chair) Lynn Diener Kevin Mason Amy Schiebel Teale Mach John Greenler Membership Michelle Griffin-Wenzel (chair) Ray Scolavino Tracy Swedlund
Ray Scolavino Shelly Rudnick-Peterson
WSELA Kevin Niemi (chair) Kevin Anderson Michelle Bartman Scott Woody
Foundation Brian Bartel (President) Denise McCulley (1st Vice-President) Carol Ochsner (2nd Vice-President) (3rd Vice-President) Tracy Swedlund (Treasurer) Steve Gustafson (Secretary)
Dan Bugenhagen
WESTA Ben Sanderfoot (chair) Beth Allcox Justin Frey Margaret Guderyon Jay Gullickson
Gina Vogt
Cheryl Esslinger Emily Miller
WSST Conference Chairs Connie Rauterkus & Shelly Rudnick-Peterson, Appleton 2021 Tracy Swedlund and Amy Fassler, Wausau 2022 WSST Conference Director Ray Scolavino
Deanna Brunlinger
Nominations and Elections Dan Nelson (chair) Cindy Edlund John Johnson
WSST Vendor Coordinator Rodney Dymesich
WSST Newsletter Archive Visit www.wsst.org/newsletter to download past issues of the WSST newsletter. Available from 1956, all newsletters are in Adobe PDF format.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS. To submit a letter to the WSST Newsletter, send your thoughts via e-mail to newsletter@wsst.org Content may be edited for length, clarity and appropriateness.
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President
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continued from page 1 as an organization never have to deal
to your colleagues. I would like to thank our 2021 conference co-chairs, Shelly Rudnick-Peterson and Connie Rauterkus, for leading us through our first ever completely virtual conference. Thank you to Rod Dymesich for coordinating with our vendors to offer even more conference sessions throughout 2021. Thank you to Brian Bartel for serving as the District 6 Director for the past 3 years and congratulations and welcome to Sarah Adumat who will be our new District 6 Director! Brian, thank you for all of your work, discussion, and technology updating for WSST. Congratulations to Sara Krauskopf (District 5) and Cody Smith (District 7) on your District Director positions! Also, thank you for Kevin Anderson (Professional Development Committee Chair) and Bob Boone (Foundation President) for your years of servitude as committee chairs. I know your committees have grown from your guidance and the organization is better from your contributions. Congratulations to our new committee chairs, Chad Janowski (Professional Development Committee) and Brian Bartel (Foundation President); I know you both will do great things! I would like to thank everyone that I had the pleasure of working with throughout my tenure as your President of WSST! I have many fond memories of representing you locally and nationally, getting to know many of you from around the state, and troubleshooting issues I hope that we
with again. As our next president, I know Jay Gullickson will lead the organization well into the future! Jay, I know you will guide the organization to new heights, and I look forward to being there by your side as you embark on great things. Thank you, WSST for the opportunity to serve you!
Full Steam Ahead Session Archive at wsst.org In place of our typical face-to-face conference, WSST has been hosting monthly professional development sessions and many of the sessions have been recorded. If you did not have time to attend, you can still benefit from the PD by checking out our archive of recordings at www.wsst.org/conference-2021
Summer WSST Newsletter
The WSST Store is now open! Order your WSST gear at teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/wsst-store Squad Locker has given us a code that is good for 15% off purchases in the store until May 15th, 2021. Use the code: WSST15
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WSST NEWS Water Week Essay Contest WSST would like to thank all of the students who submitted essays for this year’s contest. This year’s theme came from UW Stevens Point in support of Wisconsin Water Week. Each grade level wrote a response to a prompt (below) focusing on water in Wisconsin. Our committee really enjoyed the essays and we would like to thank their teachers for supporting our youth scientists!
2021 Water Week Essay Winners PK-2
Emily Dixon, Gordon L Wilson Elementary School Teacher: Heidi Justus 3-5 Jaylyn Nickchen, Washington Island Elementary School, Teacher: Marleen M Ehrlich Johnson 6-8 TIE Connor Eckdhal, Monroe Middle School Teacher: Wendy Dyrhaug London Boettcher, Lake Shore Middle School Teacher: Jay Gullickson 9-12 Micayla Silas, Seymour Community High School Teacher: Dennis Rohr Grade Level Topics Grades PK-2 & Grades 3-5: Every living thing on Earth needs water. How do we use water in our communities every day? What would happen if we didn’t have water? Grades: 6-8: Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams. It takes both scientists and the general public working together to protect all our water resources. Research an agency or organization in Wisconsin that collects data related to our surface waters. Write an essay that suggests the importance of water conservation and sustainable use of water resources based on the information you found. Grades: 9-12: Wisconsin Water Week is a statewide celebration of our water resources as well as an opportunity to bring attention to the issues facing our water resources. Research an issue facing our water resources in Wisconsin and provide actions that all people can do to help protect or restore our water.
Summer WSST Newsletter
WSST Elections Results, February 2021 By Dan Nelson, Nominations and Elections
I wanted to share with you the results from our WSST elections held in February. This year we had the positions of District 5, 6 and 7 Directors up for election. I am proud to announce the results of the 2021 WSST Election: District 5: Sara Krauskopf District 6: Sarah Adumat District 7: Cody Smith
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some of you may be hesitant to nominate someone or even yourself. If you would ever like to have a conversation on what role certain positions are responsible for, please reach out to me or others who have experience in those elected posts. Take care, be safe, and through these challenging times, we will be stronger, wiser, and more cognizant of why science education is so valuable to all of us.
Thank you to all who stepped up and dedicated some of your time to ensure our science education remains strong and vibrant in our great state! Usually, we share the results at the annual conference banquet and discuss future elections. Next year (2022) we will be looking for nominees for the following positions: District 1 Director, District 4 Director, and Secretary. I understand that
WSST Voting Districts District 1 (CESA 11 & 12) District 2 (CESA 9 & 10) District 3 (CESA 7 & 8) District 4 (CESA 3 & 4) District 5 (CESA 2 & 5) District 6 (CESA 6) District 7 (CESA 1)
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WSST Awards and Recognition by Laura Ramthun and Miranda Dahlke This spring, the Awards and Recognition Committee recognized winners of the 2020 Ron Gibbs Award and the 2021 Ron Gibbs Award, Excellence in Science Teaching Awards, the Friend of Science Education Award, and the Frank Zuerner New Science Teacher Award and Scholarship. We congratulate the following winners who were recognized in the virtual Awards Ceremony on March 11, 2021.
2020 Ron Gibbs Award: Dr. Karen Mesmer
for science education, holding many positions of leadership in WSST throughout Dr. Karen Mesmer, a recent retiree of the his career, including his current role as Baraboo School District, was an integral CFO for the organization. Recognizing part of the success of the science depart- the importance of supporting educator ments at the middle and high school lev- development, he strongly supported the els. Starting as a middle level instructor, implementation of grants and scholarKaren thrived on the curiosity of her stu- ships as offerings for educators from WSST during his tenure as president. dents. As she progressed through her career into the world of district adminis- Michelle Griffin-Wenzel, the WSST tration, she also consulted with the state Membership Chair, stated “Kevin embodies the mission of WSST: ‘To Promote in development of standards based on NGSS. Dr. Mesmer’s favorite part of her Science Education in Wisconsin’, through his work across the state but also career continues to cite her time in the classroom as the most meaningful part of throughout the United States. … I can’t her career. Noting her impact in the dis- even begin to imagine how many people have participated in one of Kevin’s sestrict, Dr. Nicholas Karls said, “I truly believe there is not a single educator, stu- sions and have been inspired by his pasdent, parent, or community member who sion for science and science education.” has worked with Dr. Mesmer that doesn’t 2021 Excellence in Science wholeheartedly believe she deserves this Teaching Awards: Dr. Jamie recognition.”
2021 Ron Gibbs Award: Dr. Kevin Niemi Dr. Kevin Niemi began his involvement in Wisconsin science education with his creation and management of BioNet. From there, he became a strong advocate
Schneider, Dr. Tanzeem Ali, and Jennifer Bault
Dr. Jamie Schneider, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UW-River Falls, was recognized for her impact in Chemistry education at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. She is
Summer WSST Newsletter
engaged in research exploring the role of assessment as a tool for learning, not just collecting data on student progress, and she is involved in development of the Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning model of instruction for chemistry. Dr. Joel D. Donna noted, “Jamie is a tireless advocate for helping improve science teaching and learning. She is a true collaborator that works across disciplines in ways that directly and indirectly impact student learning throughout Wisconsin and the world.” Dr. Tanzeem Ali is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at UWSuperior, where she works with pre-service teachers and has designed curriculum to support their success in taking on their own classrooms. Her classes address elementary through secondary education promoting the 5E instructional model. After being introduced to WSST, she has been an active member, presenting at the annual conference, helping on the 2020 conference committee, and participating with the Elementary Science Education Committee. Acknowledging Dr. Ali’s dedication, Dr. Rebecca L. Franzen stated, “Through all of my interactions with Dr. Ali, I have seen a creative and confident educator who wants the best for her students and is working to improve science and environmental education in Wisconsin.” Jennifer Bault, an AP Biology and Environmental Science educator at Nicolet High School, was recognized for the quality of science education she provides, enhanced by her experiences in Antarctica, San Diego, and Tanzania. She
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strives to expose students to authentic research experiences, and greatly supports her peer educators in the area as well. Her former student, Natalie Weeks, acknowledged Ms. Bault’s role in her choice to become a teacher, “This woman truly embodies what it means to be a science educator and has inspired me to pursue this passion as well.”
2021 Friend of Science Education: AnnMarie Foundation The AnnMarie Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Wisconsin communities it serves. The foundation provides monetary awards to schools and non-profit organizations to promote educational, humanitarian, cultural, and recreational activities. The foundation also provides scholarships to high school graduates. Rachel A. Sauvola, Agriscience Teacher and SOAR Educational Center Leader, acknowledged the support of the AnnMarie Foundation with the following: “As an Agriscience Instructor I have 16 different classes in my repertoire. It takes an incredible amount of tools to be able to offer hands-on experiences for students in that many courses. ... I am able to teach hands-on science principles through a variety of means and am thankful for the assistance I have received from the AnnMarie Foundation.”
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2021 Frank Zuerner New Science Teacher Award and Scholarship: Tiffany Lissick
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president? What about the cost of registration for our first convention? Maybe you need to remember the Convention speaker in 1988? You might discover disTiffany Lissick began her teaching career cussion about the proper sequence of high in the fall of 2020, under the conditions school science of COVID instruction. She emphasized courses, or you the importance of creating a culture of might find a lab learning where students feel safe to take activity that still risks and explore the world around them. works (and is also She pulls on her varied experiences in safe). Visit the teaching in other countries and underarchive to answer graduate research to make connections for all these queskids and show them the opportunities that tions and find out exist through science. Her principal, more! Douglas E. Hatch stated, “Tiffany has a way about her which makes people of all Listen to Lab Out Loud ages, especially her students feel safe and A biweekly podincluded. Her ability to connect with her cast from NSTA students and her talent at teaching simple on science teachconcepts, as well as more advanced top- ing, science news, ics, are both impressive for such a young and anything else educator.” with “science” in it. Do you have a colleague you wish to Listen to Brian nominate? Nominations for the coming year are accepted at any time through the Bartel and Dale Basler discuss science news and science first Friday in December of each year. See the WSST website for links to nomi- education with leading scientists, researchers, science writers, and other nate at www.wsst.org/awards important figures in the field. Lab Out Loud episodes and notes can be WSST Newsletter Online found at www.laboutloud.com/episodes Archive Complete Subscribe to our RSS feed, or by email. The WSST Newsletter archive is comAll episodes are archived, and can be plete! Visit www.wsst.org/newsletter and downloaded at any time. click on “archive’ to download past issues Lab Out Loud is sponsored by the of the WSST newsletter. Available from National Science Teaching Association. 1958, all newsletters are in Adobe PDF Any questions, comments or suggestions format. can be submitted to: laboutloud.com/conWant to find out who was WSST’s first tact/
Summer WSST Newsletter
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WSST MEMBER SUBMISSIONS Memorable WSST Conference Speakers By Karyl Rosenberg, WSST Historian Conference speakers leave indelible memories, whether it’s one’s first conference or part of a career’s worth. Thanks to the newer and longtime members for this issue’s memorable speakers at conferences. If anyone has more memories please share them! Also, I will be writing about memorable field trips in the future, so please share those memories as well. Keep telling those WSST Stories!
1988, Robert Ballard: Discoverer of the RMS Titanic shipwreck Memories of Doug Johnson, Karyl Rosenberg and John Whitsett This was the first really big WSST conference event I ever attended. I remember a packed room at the La Crosse center where we had all just had a great dinner when we learned that our expected guest would be starting a bit late due to the fact that his slides somehow had not made it from the Twin Cities with him (apparently, he left them by the pay phone in the Twin Cities airport when his flight to La Crosse was called!). Happily they were located and were sent to La Crosse on the next flight. Someone had to go pick them up there, and of course the flight was late. When they arrived, Mr. Ballard calmly got all set up and ready to go with the help of the conference committee and
it was totally worth the wait! I had learned of his discoveries from broadcast media, but the images they showed paled in comparison to the originals he shared with us. I truly will never forget this presentation; it gave me the feeling of being present at the creation of remote underwater sensing science. Sources: K. Rosenberg memory, J. Whitsett written communication, 3/21. The story behind how we came to have nationally known speakers like Mr. Ballard at a WSST conference is equally interesting. As Doug Johnson tells it several years earlier, James Randi had been considered due to his media fame in the 1980’s. Randi was a magician who was famous for debunking assorted pseudoscience ideas such as spoon bending, psychic surgery, ancient astronauts, etc. Given WSST’s size and financial situation at the time, it was clear he would have been a higher priced speaker than WSST had ever had before. Nevertheless, considering his current popularity the leadership decided to invite Mr. Randi to give a public presentation at the 1984 conference in Wausau with admission charged both for the conference banquet attendees and the general public. The banquet was $8.00 without the Randi presentation, $10.00 with it. As Doug Johnson recalls, “the hall we were in was packed”. This was successful enough to give the WSST coffers a needed boost. Clearly, nationally famous speakers could be engaged with the proper incentives.
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Sources: J. Whitsett, written communication, 3/21, D. Johnson written communication 3/21, WSST Newsletters Vol. 25, #2 and Vol. 25, #3. Approaching the 1988 conference planning, John Whitsett was the chair and this was the first time WSST had been in LaCrosse. It seemed that having a nationally known speaker involved with a popular current discovery would help bring people to a new conference location. Encouraging the Wisconsin Association of Physics Teachers to move their conference to La Crosse in the spring was also helpful with boosting attendance. WSST got help from NSTA and also received a grant from the Cray foundation to support Mr. Ballard’s visit. The information about Ballard’s visit probably helped and registrations surpassed everyone’s hopes (The availability of Eisenhower money didn’t hurt either!). Sources: written communication 3/21 with D. Johnson, J.Whitsett. The appointed time for the presentation came and there was no Mr. Ballard so another speaker was encouraged to keep talking until he was ready and able to present. The wait seemed interminable but at last Mr. Ballard took the podium and proceeded to wow everyone presentincluding Karyl Rosenberg’s then 3rd grade son. After the presentation, when John Whitsett was escorting Mr. Ballard to his room, he mentioned that his young daughter was a fan. Mr. Ballard said he wanted to meet her. Imagine her surprise and delight when he sat down with her and shared his book! After that he joined John and lots of WSST members at the social and had a great time getting to
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know Wisconsin teachers. As it turned out, Karyl and her 3rd grade son went to the UW-L planetarium show with the WAPT members-you never know where bringing kids to WSST conferences will lead! Sources: written communication, 3/21 with D. Johnson, J. Whitsett, K. Rosenberg personal memories.
2006, Sean Carroll: UW-Madison Geneticist and author Memories of Kevin Niemi Here is our advertisement for Dr. Sean Carroll, our banquet keynote speaker: “The 2006 Convention Committee is proud to announce our Milton O. Pella Banquet keynote speaker. Geneticist Sean Carroll is a leading figure in the battle to assert the magnificence – as well as the sheer fact of evolution. He has been praised as a groundbreaking researcher and seminal figure in the emerging field known as Evo Devo. His new book, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, has catapulted him, according to US News & World Report, into “the new, user-friendly public face of evolutionary science.” A UW-Madison Geneticist, Carroll accepted our invitation to speak to an admiring group of science teachers. He waived his fee as he has always been supportive of teachers. We had a large audience treated to an enthralling presentation on this new concept of evolutionary development, or evo devo for short. Employing two large screens his visuals alone captivated all in attendance, let alone the remarkable connection of developmental biology and the role of evolu-
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tion in making all species what they are today. The banquet started off a bit slow as we had a request by a state politician to address the banquet and in spite of a stated time limit far exceeded her time to talk about issues occurring at the capitol. Then as Sean was preparing to start his presentation the projectors failed to perform as they had during pre-banquet set-up. Always expect problems. After a few minutes of tech-savvy teachers to the rescue, Sean began his engaging presentation about evolution and development and how the two are intertwined. The idea of a developmental toolbox still resonates with me. All was enthusiastically heard and his book signing afterwards went on for an extended time due to the intense interest of the conference attendees. My final thought—those in attendance gave Sean a spontaneous standing ovation, a first in my memory of attending many WSST conference banquets. It was well deserved and much appreciated by Dr. Carroll. Dr. Sean B. Carroll has gone on to write several more best-selling books and has used his position as Vice President for Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to produce many outstanding science education resources. Check them out if you are not familiar with them at hhmi.org. Source: written communication 3/21, K.J. Niemi
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2019, Kobie Boykins, Engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mars Rover Program Memory of Ian Schwanda Extremely intelligent, but also personable, relatable, and funny; Kobie Boykins wowed me with his impressive keynote speech at the 2019 WSST conference in Madison. This was actually my first time listening to a keynote speaker at WSST, as I was a newer teacher at the time. Throughout his presentation, Kobie had a certain sense of magic in the way he talked. Some possess this ability to address a whole crowd but make each listener feel as if they are the only ones in the room. On that night Kobie certainly made me feel that way. The content was intellectually stimulating, the jokes were hilarious, and when he needed to get serious you could hear the emotion in his voice. I remember thinking at the time, this may have been one of the best speakers I have ever seen. I will never forget the night that Kobie Boykins gave us a backstage pass to what creating, launching, and using a Mars Rover was really like. Thank you, Kobie! Source: oral and written communication, I. Schwanda, 3/21.
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Rethinking the Discussion on “Learning Loss” By Kevin Anderson When students were asked to discuss “learning loss” for a recent article, one student talked about school during COVID, saying, “I lost time I could have been enjoying my childhood.” I thought that was a profound statement on where students are at right now. While it is likely that some typical school learning outcomes did not happen to the same extent, I would like to reframe how we look at the learning that did happen and learning goals in general moving forward. I argue that the primary focus of schooling should not be to push students toward artificial learning benchmarks at the expense of “enjoying their childhood.” We need a focus on helping students first develop a love for learning. We need a focus on what they can do, not on whether there is an insignificant change in a test scorebased trajectory. Using a packaged program that raises their score 5 points on a standardized test is not worth it if it destroys a child’s engagement in school. And, we have lost that truth when the primary focus is on “learning loss.” Schooling at its best allows for students to find their identity and their passions. And, it helps them see that they are loved. That should be a major lesson of COVID-19 that we use to move forward. Therefore, we need to focus on meaningful learning opportunities for all students, not a deficit- and remediation-minded emphasis on making up for lost time. Post-COVID student support requires very
Summer WSST Newsletter
careful and thoughtful approaches for several reasons: • Standardized test scores in mathematics and literacy have been relatively flat for at least the last decade and achievement gaps are not closing. Putting more time into these subjects and doing more of the same has not and will not fix that problem. These types of tests provide limited information about the full range of important student learning, though they are a useful barometer, particularly in relation to equity. • Research shows that science learning supports literacy learning, but it has seen an ongoing deprioritization, especially at the elementary level. Literacy learning consistently receives a larger share of the limited time available. • Like mathematics learning, science should be about giving students opportunities to collaboratively figure out interesting problems and phenomena, not memorize facts. STEM learning broadly should be about empowering students to make a difference in their community, with the ability to see where that’s possible. • We need to move beyond the “What Works Clearinghouse” of programs, often based on biased studies. As noted above, we’ve seen little overall impact on achievement gaps, but we’ve also realized that they exacerbate the opportunity gap. I taught in a school where students were taken out of engaging elective courses (like STEM) and placed in front of a com-
Summer WSST Newsletter
puter for extra reading learning. Thus, they lost key elements of school that motivated them to attend. We must unravel the structures that inhibit joyful learning. • A deficit focus on students who have not “learned” as much as others has historically led to tracking. Tracking needs to be dismantled, not further entrenched through new post-COVID strategies. Remediation, as has been seen in post-secondary education, is rarely the best answer. School systems need to strive for renewal- and assetbased support, as framed by this Nebraska model. Instead of a focus on more of the same strategies to support students, we need to emphasize enriched learning for all. We need to get students engaged through meaningful connections to their community and their lived experience. For example, teachers can have them build literacy skills while gaining empowerment through exploring a unit on health equity and COVID-19. As Dr. Bettina Love, the inspiration of several parts of this article, says, we need to focus more on joy – celebrating that we made it through COVID and dreaming of what can be – not get stuck back in the way things have always been done.
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our item review for the 4th and 8th grade Forward Exam. We could particularly use some elementary educators, though secondary science teachers, special education teacher, English Learner support teachers are all welcome to apply. Educators who have done this work in the past have found it very useful. To apply, you must complete the New Item Review Participation Application and submit your resume to osamail@dpi.wi.gov. STEM from the Start https://stemfromthestart.org/ A new PBS resource for K-2 students, combining animated adventure videos with guided activities based around particular phenomena. It includes “Discovery Breaks” with a teacher support guide. Parents have also used the production and guide with their own children. State Water Inquiry Project https://dpi.wi.gov/science/water The State Water Inquiry Project is ongoing. I encourage you to connect your students with meaningful class projects related to water and share them with other educators around the state. Projects ideas from K-12 and sharing options are on this website.
Wonders of Physics Video Contest wonders.physics.wisc.edu/contest/ Students record themselves doing an amazing physics demonstration, explain Tidbits from Kevin... the science behind it, and enter the video Forward Exam Item Reviewers Needed before school is out for the summer. August 16-18 Apply by May 7 at dpi.wi.gov/assessment/forward/educator-involvement We’re going all virtual this year with
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SCIENCE NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES WSELA Meeting, August 11 Mark your calendars for the next meeting of the Wisconsin Science Education Leadership Association. It will take place at Edgewood College in Madison, as well as virtually, on August 11th from 9 to 3. Everyone is welcome. We hope to have a science educator from each district and/or building as part of this group. For in-person attendees there is a cost of $20 to cover snacks and lunch. We will have general session this time, with topics to possibly include planning for going back to school and lessons learned during COVID, reflection on Forward Exam and ACT results, instructional materials, supporting elementary science, and equity work. Email Kevin Anderson to get on this listserv for further details closer to the date.
2021 Menominee Adventure Field Experience - MESTA and WSST - August 2-5, 2021 Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) invites WSST members to join them on their 2021 Menominee Adventure Field Trip Experience (August 2-5) that will feature stops and events in and around Iron Mountain, MI. Highlights include: hiking rock outcrops and collecting rocks and minerals, white water rafting (class IV rapids), mining history (with an underground mine tour and visiting the largest pump in North America), Menominee River area geology (volcanic, tectonic, faulting, minerals),
erosional features (oxbow lakes, river meanders, drumlin fields), New Back Forty Mine under development (metallic sulfides, environmental protection, hydrology), meeting with fellow educators and scientists, fun outdoor activities, and learning more about science in our natural world. This experience is designed to be family friendly. Most activities will be centered around Iron Mountain, MI if you are interested in either camping or staying in a local hotel. For more information, contact Dave Chapman of MESTA at chapmand@comcast.net or visit the Menominee Adventure Field Experience website where you will find these links: • Hotel and camping information • What to see on the way to the Menominee Adventure • Download the registration pdf or register online
Summer WSST Newsletter
Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Climate Generation is teaming up with some fantastic partners from NOAA’s Climate Office and the Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program to bring you a virtual professional development offering – the 17th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education. Find out more and register at http://climategen.org/summer-institute Educators from all subject areas are invited to learn new ways to connect their communities to climate change solutions, while also building and strengthening relationships with educators from across North America. Join 1 of 13 cohorts of climate change education leaders, as we “reground in truth” and look ahead at a world grounded in climate justice for all! Date: July 28-30, 2021 Location: Your living room and online! Registration: $250 Scholarships Available Optional Graduate Credits Available
Teach Climate Network Hub Jump into the Climate Generation’s Teach Climate Network Hub, an online platform for educators to connect and learn! You will gain access to other educators in the Network, experts in a variety of fields related to climate change
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education, resources, and the recordings of our fall workshop series. The Teach Climate Network Hub is open to any and all educators! Sign up for the Network at www.climategen.org/teach-climate-network-sign-up/ to get your unique username and password and start exploring!
Green Schools ConferenceJune 28-29, 2021 The Green Schools Conference (GSC) is
the premier education and engagement opportunity for leaders and advocates who are passionate about the future of healthy, sustainable schools throughout the country and around the world. GSC is the only event to bring together all of the players involved in making green schools a reality: the people who lead, operate, build and teach in our nation’s schools. Collaboration and innovation are necessary ingredients to transform schools into healthier, more sustainable places to learn, work, and play. This year, the pandemic may be preventing us from meeting in person, but we’ve created a stellar virtual experience that will allow us to come together as we work to advance the three pillars of green schools: positive environmental impact, increased health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability literacy. Register Today! Visit greenschoolsconference.org for more, including scholarship information
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Summer WSST Newsletter
Computer Science Summer Prof. Learning Programs
Unconference - an opportunity to share resources, tips and tricks. For more information and to register, Hosted by Marquette University’s PUMPclick here. CS Project, these programs are designed to promote growth by providing space for Free Practice for Praxis CS you to become comfortable with curricula Exam from CompuScholar materials, CS content, and pedagogy. No CompuScholar is offering two of their prior CS experience is required. All procourses and study guides which should grams use freely available curricula and prepare you to take the Computer tools. These programs support teachers Science Praxis Exam (5652) in with diverse teaching backgrounds as they Wisconsin. This is entirely free of charge prepare to teach any of the following and offered by CompuScholar in concourses: ECS (Exploring Computer junction with the CSTA WI-Dairyland. Science), Code.org CSD, Project GUTS, The courses are online, self-paced and Code.org CSP, BJC (Beauty and Joy of self-study, so you can get started at any Computing). time and take up to 6 months to complete Download the flyer here. Questions? them. Click here for the registration link. Contact Katya Winkler at code@marquette.edu Wisconsin 2021 Aspirations in
Extended Learning Program for Code.org CSD and CSP Alumni: June 22-24
Computing Virtual Awards
The NCWIT-WI Wisconsin Affiliate is pleased to announce that Holly Baumgart, VP of Information Marquette PUMP-CS is pleased to Technology, Sargento Foods, and Bridget announce the CS Discoveries and CS Quinn, Regional Affiliate Manager, Principles Expanded Learning Program NCWIT, are the keynote speakers for the (ELP), a free, virtual, two-and-a-half day Wisconsin 2021 Aspirations in summer professional development experi- Computing Virtual Awards event on ence created by a collective of Midwest Sunday May 16, 2021 from 2-3:30 p.m. Code.org Regional Partners. We are very excited to have two accomTeachers from Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, plished women presenting, encouraging, and Wisconsin who have previously par- and inspiring the wonderful group of ticipated in a year-long professional learn- young women who will be honored that ing program for Code.org CS Discoveries afternoon for their own accomplishor Code.org CS Principles from 2016ments. The future looks very bright for 2020 are eligible to attend. these #girlsintech who aspire to become Includes refreshers tracks for CSD #womenintech. To learn more about this (focus on units 1-3, or 4-6) and CSP (AP year’s event, visit our website: NCWIT and non-AP focus). Includes Aspirations.
Summer WSST Newsletter
Virgo’s Galactic Harvest By David Prosper
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most distant cosmic neighbors. At an average distance of over 65 million light years away, the light from these galaxies first started towards our planet when the dinosaurs were enjoying their last moments as Earth’s dominant land animals! Dark clear skies and a telescope with a mirror of six inches or more will reveal many of the cluster’s brightest and largest members, and it lends itself well to stunning astrophotos. Virgo is naturally host to numerous studies of galaxies and cosmological research, which have revealed much about the structure of our universe and the evolution of stars and galaxies. The “Universe of Galaxies” activity can help you visualize the scale of the universe, starting with our home in the Milky Way Galaxy before heading out to the Local Group, Virgo Cluster and well beyond! You can find it at bit.ly/universeofgalaxies You can further explore the science of galaxies across the Universe, along with the latest discoveries and mission news, at nasa.gov.
May is a good month for fans of galaxies, since the constellation Virgo is up after sunset and for most of the night, following Leo across the night sky. Featured in some ancient societies as a goddess of agriculture and fertility, Virgo offers a bounty of galaxies as its celestial harvest for curious stargazers and professional astronomers alike. Virgo is the second-largest constellation and largest in the Zodiac, and easily spotted once you know how to spot Spica, its brightest star. How can you find it? Look to the North and start with the Big Dipper! Follow the general curve of the Dipper’s handle away from its “ladle” and towards the bright orange-red star Arcturus, in Boötes – and from there continue straight until you meet the next bright star, Spica! This particular star-hopping trick is summed up by the famous phrase, “arc to Arcturus, and spike to Spica.” This large constellation is home to the Virgo Cluster, a massive group of galaxies. While the individual stars in Virgo are a part of our own galaxy, known as the Milky Way, the Virgo Cluster’s members exist far beyond our own galaxy’s borders. Teeming with around 2,000 known members, this massive group of galaxies are all gravitationally bound to each other, and are themselves members of the even larger Virgo Supercluster of galaxies, a sort of “super-group” made up of groups of galaxies. Our own Milky Way is a member of the “Local Group” of galaxies, which in turn is also a member of the Virgo Supercluster! In a sense, when we gaze upon the Find Virgo by “arcing to Arcturus, then spiking on to Spica.” Please galaxies of the Virgo Cluster, note that in this illustration, the location of the Virgo Cluster is approxwe are looking at some of our imate - the borders are not exact.
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Volume 62, No. 4 Published in Appleton, Wisconsin Editing & Layout: Brian Bartel Publisher: Kevin Niemi
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WSST Calendar WSST Summer Board Mtg Jun 28-30 Lac Lawrann Conservancy West Bend, WI 2022 Conference: Wausau April 7-9, 2022 2023 Conference: Madison Monona Terrace, March 9-11, 2023
2020-2021 Newsletter Deadlines Fall: Friday, August 21, 2020 Winter*: Friday, November 13, 2020 Spring: Friday, January 22, 2021 Summer*: Friday, April 9, 2021 *These will be digital issues only
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