STATellite - February 2009

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About UsWe are STAT, the Science Teachers Association of Texas.

STAT is commied to the enhancement of the teaching of science in Texas at all levelsand in all science disciplines.

For STAT Position Statements, go to: http://www.statweb.org/news/position.php

STAT is:o A statewide organization of elementary, middle level, and high school

teachers, college educators, supervisors of science, and others dedicated tomaintaining the highest levels of science and education in our schools.

o A chapter of the National Science Teachers Associationo Visit the NSTA siteo View the NSTA online calendar

STAT seeks to:o Serve as a unied voice for the science teachers of the state.o Keep science teachers and other members informed about current trends in

science education.o Provide opportunities for members to examine techonology, curriculum,

materials, and services.

o Inform members of local, state and national meetings, conferences, seminarsand workshops related to sciences.

o Cooperate with other science oriented organizations and teacher associationsin the promotion of teaching of science.

History:STAT, Science Teachers Association of Texas, was formally organized in 1957 during

the 4th Annual Conference for the Advancement of Science & Mathematics Teaching(CASMT). STAT membership is more than 6,000 strong!
http://www.statweb.org/news/position.phphttp://www.statweb.org/news/position.php


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Contacts Elected Ocers

Appointed Positions Aliate Congress Regional Directors Texas State Board of EducationPresidents Message

CalendarAliate NewsRegional RamblingsOn the Brink of SuccessDoes Expelled Belong in the

Classroom?STAT Ocer NomineesContinuing Education

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mailto:[email protected]?subject=(STATellite)mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=(STATellite)mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.statweb.org/


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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/


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Presently the State Board of Education is reviewing the Texas Education Agency recom-mendations for changes to the Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Educators whohave reviewed these changes will nd signicant dierences in the new TEKS. The Science

Teachers Association of Texas has been working diligentlyto keep our members informed of this process through ourwebsite, newsleer and e-mail communications. It is ourhope that all Texas science teachers have been closely moni-toring this process. We have had representation at all theState Board of Education (SBOE) meetings and providedtestimony. Although many educators have a keen interest inthe actions of the State Board of Education, most of us ndit dicult to aend these meetings which traditionally takeplace in Austin on either Wednesday or Thursday. In my

message this month my aim is to provide a snapshot of thetestimony that is taking place and why science educatorsneed to be concerned with the outcome of this testimonyand these discussions.

The display of science misinformation and misunderstanding presented at the JanuaryState Board of Education Commiee meeting should be of grave concern to all science educa -tors. The whole event reminded me of a visit several years ago to the Roswell New Mexico AlienResearch Center and Museum. I remember, as a science teacher, I was looking forward to seeingor experiencing some intriguing piece of information that would add mystery or challenge myunderstandings of nature and science.

I remember searching through the museum for several hours. There was a wooden carvedmodel by a local artisan of a typical alien, the plastic alien from the movie about the Roswellincident, and pieces of aluminum foil said to resemble metal found at the crash site, but no ar-tifacts from the crash or any credible scientic artifacts. The most interesting thing about thewhole museum was the lack of any real piece of evidence of anything extra ordinary. I remem-ber being extremely disappointed and amazed at the lack of science in the displays. RoadsideAmerica.com (hp://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11159 ) says this about the International

UFO and Research Museum This place has a long way to go to do justice to its futuric (sic)subject maer, with exhibits that are mostly paper displays hung on pegboard walls, and yingsaucers made out of hubcaps hanging from the ceiling.

A Message from President Baldwin

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(contd. on pg 20)
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March 2009

Region 5 Mini-CASTMarch 7, 2009Beaumont, TX

NSTA National ConferenceMarch 19 - 22, 2009New Orleans, LA

Texas Science and Engineering Meeting

March 28 - 31, 2009Austin, TX

TMEA MeetingMarch 28 - 29, 2009San Angelo, TX

April 2009

Ocer Elections CloseApril 1, 2009

Texas Science OlympiadApril 24 -25, 2009College Station, TX

May 2009

Board MeetingMay 8-9, 2009McKinney Roughs, TX

June 2009

STARS ProgramJune 8 - July 31, 2009Dallas, TX

TESTA Iceland TripJune 13 - 22, 2009

Iceland

October 2009

Rio Grande Valley ScienceAssociation Conference

October 9 - 10, 2009Mercedes, TX

NSTA Area ConferenceOctober 29-31, 2009

Minneapolis, MN

November 2009

CAST 2009November 5-7, 2009Galveston, TX

NSTA Area ConferenceNovember 12-14, 2009

Fort Lauderdale, FL

December 2009

NSTA Area Conference

December 3-5, 2009Phoenix, AZ

For a more extensive calendar, go to:www.statweb.org/calendar.php

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http://www.statweb.org/calendar.phphttp://www.statweb.org/calendar.php


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by Rosemary MartinSupporting Science, Inc.

justlaminate

& cut

Interactive manipulative activities & games

Teach, review, tutor & assess

Cover concepts & process skills

Engage learners with visuals & color

Differentiate for special populations

Science & ReadingTEKS Correlated
http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.sciencecutups.com/http://www.enasco.com/science


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Informal Science Education AssociationISEA

by Tara Schultz

ISEA Conference Last chance to register!

The Informal Science Education Associa-

tion of Texas will host its annual conference Feb-ruary 25-27 at Sky Ranch.

We are fortunate this year to be able to hostthe conference at beautiful Sky Ranch located inthe beautiful piney woods of East Texas, 25 milesNW of Tyler and 90 miles from DFW airport.

Keynote Speaker, John H. Falk, Ph.D. willspeak on Identity and the Museum Visitor Ex-

perience. Why do people visit free-choice learn-ing seings like science centers, zoos, naturalareas and parks, what do they do during a visitand what memories and learning result from thevisit experience? Dr. Falk will discuss the theorybehind his new model as well as how profession-als working in museum-like seings can use themodel to improve how they think about and servetheir visiting public. Dr. John H. Falk is known in-ternationally for his expertise on free-choice learn-ing. Dr. Falk is currently Sea Grant Professor ofFree- Choice Learning at Oregon State University.Among Dr. Falks recent projects are a series ofNational Science Foundation and privately fund-ed projects focused on understanding the role ofidentity-related motivations on the behavior andlong-term learning of museum visitors.

The Pre-Conference workshop, held

Wednesday, February 25 is Project WET and Proj-ect Webfoot. Activities engage students withhands-on, interdisciplinary lessons that teach im-portant concepts about water. Project Webfoot is

an exciting partnership between Project WET andDucks Unlimited. It promotes responsible wetlandstewardship through conservation education. Re-

ceive certication in BOTH programs, curriculumguides, and lots of great resources!

Conference Registration Deadline Feb 18$25 registration fee includes lunch.

(includes annual ISEA membership)

Option A $150(includes 2 nights lodging and 6 meals)

Option B $130(includes 6 meals)

Registration form and online registration at:http://www.statweb.org/ISEA/conferences.htm .

For more information contact Tara Schultz [email protected] .

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Texas Association for Environmental EducationTAEEby Sally Wall

The past year has been very exciting anddynamic for TAEE. There have been many chang-es and exciting things happening. We have a new

president Haily Summerford. We miss our pastpresident, Tracy Hollis who has been a force forenvironmental education and a leader in our or-ganization for the past few years. Standing onthe shoulders of giants Haily has hit ground run-ning and has been picking up the torch that Tracyhas carried for the group and is making her ownmark.

TAEE has ocially become a 501(c)(3) this

year, meaning it has a nonprot status. This will be benecial for us in many ways. We also re-ceived an $17,000 grant from our national aliate-The North American Association of Environmen-tal Educators (NAAEE) to promote diversity andcapacity building. One of the ways we have donethis is through our new Web site.

The most outstanding news we have iswinning the outstanding aliate award fromNAAEE. This was a great honor and reected thehard work our organization has put in this pastyear. We were chosen above the other state ali-ates in the U.S. and Canada.

Our fall conference (October 9-12) outsideof Austin was a great success. Kathy McLaugh-lin, executive director for National Project Learn-ing Tree was our guest speaker. She was updating

and promoting the nationwide movement of NoChild Le Inside. Our retreat in January was abusy one - planning our fall conference, October22-25, 2009 in Junction Texas at Texas Tech Uni-

versity Outdoor Facility on the Llano river. Thetheme for the conference will be Rockin on theRiver. We hope to see you there!

For more information about TAEE, visitwww.taee.org.

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Texas Council of Elementary ScienceTCES

by Vanessa Westbrook

Imagine the salty air touching your faceand the sound of the waves as you walk fromyour suite to the hotel lobby to join colleagues

from across Texas for breakfast at the TCES Lead-ership Symposium. January 16-18, 2009 were thedates for the 12th annual symposium designedto bring together educators who focus on scienceeducation at the elementary level. A combinationof concurrent sessions, share-a-thons, small groupdiscussions, and a eld experience provided pro-fessional development opportunities for the groupaending this years event. Three informal scienceinstitutions: Texas Memorial Museum, Texas State

Aquarium, and University of Texas Marine Sci-ence Institute engaged symposium participants inworkshops, hands-on investigations, and a marsh-land nature walk. Symposium participants alsohad an opportunity to discuss the revisions of thescience TEKS as facilitated by Barbara ten Brink,TCES Founder; engaging in Professional LearningCommunities as lead by Barbara Taylor from theCharles A. Dana Center; and design a plan for im-plementing a science leadership role at the school,school district, regional, or state level. Under thedirection of Vanessa Westbrook, TCES Treasurerand Symposium Co-Coordinator, designed plansfor leaderships was collected and will be sent toaendees on the rst of February as reminders.

Texas Council of Elementary Science has been incorporated for over 25 years. The orga-nization is one of ve elementary science focus

organization in the United States; one of two el-ementary focus organizations with a current web-site, professional development activities , and anassociated group of the National Science Teachers

Association. The membership is rich with presi-dential awardees, state and national leaders fromthe science education area, and a membership list

that includes informal educators, university pro-fessors, master teachers, and educators who workwith students from Pre-kindergarten to collegelevel. The membership is diverse with educatorsfrom across Texas who represents the ethnicity,geographic areas, and years of experiences (stu-dents teachers to 30+ year veterans).

TCES has an award winning website, aquarterly newsleer for the membership, and

popular yearly publication, Hands Across Texas(H.A.T.S) which provides classroom tested activi-ties and investigations for the teaching and learn-ing of science.

Visit our website: www.statweb.org/TCES

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http://www.statweb.org/TCEShttp://www.statweb.org/TCES


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Texas Earth Science Teachers AssociationTESTA

by Diann Valentine

2008 was a year of many surprises for all.The biggest, of course, was Hurricane Ike. Manyschools from the Beaumont/Galveston corridor

had major damage. Those further inland sueredsecondary delay from the power outages. Eventhough class time was lost from this disaster, weare obliged to help our students through roughtimes. We sometimes forget how intertwined weare.

Our economy has certainly aected all ofus. As school budgets suered some were not al-lowed to benet from the wonderful professional

development that CAST oers. Hopefully thosethat could not aend our CAST conference in 2008will join us for the Galveston Conference Nov 3-7,2009. Turn in your budget request now for nextyear and help with the Galveston recovery!

Our parent organization, NESTA (NationalEarth Science Teachers), will start o the NationalScience Teachers Conference in New Orleans witha eld trip on March 18. The eld trip is entitledKatrina Devastation and New Orleans Water-ways. There is online registration on the NESTAswebsite.

On March 20, the Geology, the Oceans andAtmospheres, and Space Science Share-a-thonswill be held. On March 21, the National Hazardsand the Environment Share-a-thon as well as theexciting rock and mineral rae will be highlight-

ed. You can also check out the entire Earth Sciencestrand on the their website: www.nestanet.org/php/conferences.php.

In closing, TESTA would like to say thanks,again, to those that contributed to our rock raeand door prizes for our luncheon during 2008.

Please consider patronizing the following: the Dal-las and Houston Gem and Mineral Associations,AmberWay Jewelry, Bierroot Rocks and Fossils,Fantastic Stones and Accessories, Stone Crystals,Earth Works, The Rare Earth Trading Company,Blue Caribe Jems, H&P Minerals and Gems, Crys-tal Monster, Lone Star Meteorites, Gilligans IsleBrazil Treasures, The Geode Gallery, Carved Opaland Obsidian, San Juan Gems, Geoblox, LonestarLearning, Dynanotes, Geoblox, McDonald Obser-

vatory, US Forestry Service, Wards, and all of ourmembers and supporters for their generous dona-tions to our organization.

TESTA urges everyone to begin makingplans to aend the 52nd Anniversary CAST to beheld in Galveston at Moody Gardens! Addition-ally, if you did not aend CAST this year or didnot renew your TESTA dues, please do so today sowe can continue to oer earth science services andprograms.

If you need to contact me, Diann Valentine- TESTA President, please email me [email protected] .

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Texas Marine Education AssociationTMEA

by Nathan Veatch

JOIN US IN SAN ANGELOMARCH 28, & 29, 2009

for A river runs through it, The Colorado River

and its tributaries

Join The Texas Marine Educators Associa-tion in San Angelo for the rst part of a multi-part workshop to study the movement of waterthrough the Colorado River watershed systemfrom its headwaters down to where it emptiesinto Matagorda Bay. This workshop is designed tohelp teachers of all disciplines gain a beer under-standing of how we impact the world of water inmany ways.

The rst stop of this tour will develop anunderstanding of the ecology, history, usage, andproblems of water in West Texas. The tour group,with the help of the UCRA, will explore the Con-cho River, a tributary of the Colorado River, andLake Nasworthy. We hope to see you there!

To register for this workshop, check our website:http://www.statweb.org/TMEA/

Cost: $35; Nonmember $45.Registration deadline: March 6th.

Maximum participants: 30.

TMEA at CAST - Fort WorthNovember 6-8th, 2008

TMEA President, Mark Stamp led anothergreat marine geology eldtrip with 38 participantseagerly grubbing fossils and rocks from the marinestrata in the Fort Worth area. Some even suggest-ed camping out so they could get an early start onthe outcrops the next day. The TMEA Strand con-tained a full complement of workshops. TMEAStrand presenters were Greg McDonald, GinaDiseldorf, Marolyn Smith, Rick Tinnin, and JohnWilliams. Many old salts manned the TMEA Af-

liates booth in the exhibit hall. Special thanks goto Cindy Ross and Mark Stamp for transport, de-sign, and set up of the TMEA booth in the exhibithall. They were assisted in the set up by Jack Cla-son and Luz Tellez. A big thanks to all those mem-bers who spent time manning the booth, signingup new members and passing out over 300 copiesof the Dolphin Talk Special Edition. Forty mem-bers joined or renewed their membership throughregistration for CAST. Fieen more joined or re-newed at the booth.

At the annual business meeting and lun-cheon, Trish Lowe assumed the oce of President,Marolyn Smith was elected as President-elect, andLuz Tellez was re-elected as Treasurer. Jill Veatchwill serve as Secretary for one more year. MarkStamp was thanked for his contributions duringthe past two years.

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Texas Marine Education AssociationTSAAPTby Hugh Henderson

The Fall 2008 Joint Meeting of the Texasand Four Corners Sections of the American Physi-cal Society along with the Texas and New Mexico

Sections of the American Association of PhysicsTeachers was held at the University of Texas at ElPaso on October 17-18, 2008. Plenary sessions in-cluded talks on nanotechnology, the Large Had-ron Collider at CERN, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosenexperiments, semiconductors, and math and sci-ence education. Over 220 sessions were present-ed in the areas such as astrophysics, high energyphysics, condensed maer, nuclear physics, nano-science, and physics education research. The aer

dinner talk was given by Thomas Calligaro, artrestoration physicist at the Palais de Louvre inParis. Workshops for teachers were also oered inthe areas of video analysis and mechanics.

The Texas Section of AAPT also oered astrand of seven sessions at CAST November 5 8,2008 in Ft. Worth. Sessions included astronomi-

cal mysteries, how to survive your rst 5 years ofteaching, using video analysis, radioactive decay,plasma physics, circular motion, and Quarknet.TSAAPT is currently puing together a strand forsessions at CAST 2009 in Galveston, November 5 7, 2009.

The Joint Spring 2009 Texas Section Meet-ing of the American Physical Society, the Ameri-can Association of Physics Teachers, and the So-

ciety of Physics Students will be held at TarletonState University in Stephenville, Texas April 2 4,2009. Contributed papers from any area of phys-ics are welcomed and encouraged; however, areasof emphasis for the meeting include Astronomyand Space Science, Innovations in Physics Teach-ing, Undergraduate and High School Student Re-search, and Applications of Accelerators. Work-shops for physics teachers will also be oered.Invited talks include topics on plastic electronics,physics teacher preparation, physics education re-search in advanced physics classes, and more.

More information can be found at http://www.math.tarleton.edu/conference/main.htm.

Le:Evelyn Restivo shares her experiences as a

teacherresearcher at the Large Hadron Col-lider at CERN in Switzerland at the TSAAPT

luncheon at CAST.

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http://www.math.tarleton.edu/conference/main.htmhttp://www.math.tarleton.edu/conference/main.htmhttp://www.math.tarleton.edu/conference/main.htmhttp://www.math.tarleton.edu/conference/main.htm


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http://camt.msstate.edu/http://k12summerinstitute.mdanderson.org/


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Region 4by Mary Ingle

Region 4 Director

On February 21, 2009 Region 4 Education Service Center will hold its rst annual Science Con-ference: Preparing 21st Century Citizens for Science Literacy from 8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Sessions areavailable for all grades and courses.

The conference has a wide selection of topics that include T-STEM, ELL Strategies, IntegratingTechnology with Chemistry and Physics, Genetics, Inquiry Strategies for Biology, Science Notebooks,Fun with Physical Science, Junior Master Gardener, Lab Management for Elementary, Connecting withNASAs Digital Learning, Erosion and Weathering, and much more.

The conference fee is $80 and includes a box lunch. Register online at hp://www.escweb.net/tx_esc_04/default.aspx with the session ID: 321701.

If you have any questions about this science conference, please dont hesitate to contact Mary Ingle [email protected].

Region 10/11by Terry Talley

This Regional Mini-CAST has become a tradition for metroplex elementary and secondary sci-ence educators. Educators from ESC Regions 10 & 11 and surrounding areas are invited Saturday, Feb-ruary 21, 2009, from 8:30 am - 3:45 pm to participate as presenters and/or aendees. Pre-registration isclosed, but take advantage of on-site registration, which is available from 8:00 am - 8:30 am.

This one day conference is designed to support the work of science educators by providinginteraction with other educators, professional training, informative workshop sessions and an oppor-tunity to see commercial products on exhibit.

E-mail Kevin Fisherfor details or call him at 469-948-8083.

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Region 13by Dr. Barbara ten Brink

Region 13 Director

Two Texas teachers have been named nal-ists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence inMathematices and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The 2008 PAEMST awards recognize kin-dergarten through sixth grade science and math-ematics teachers whose innovative methods bringteaching to life in the classroom. The Texas nalistsin elementary science are Amanda Santana fromHouston and Candy Ellard of Austin. Santana hasbeen teaching for 18 years and is currently teach-ing elementary science at The Rice School in theHouston Independent School District. Her princi-pal is Kimberly Hobbs and her superintendent isAbelardo Saavedra.

Candy Ellard, a 27-year veteran, is cur-rently a h-grade teacher at Pillow Elementary

School in Austin ISD. Her principal is Tonya Kingand her superintendent is Pat Forgione. Ms. Ellardwas nominated for the award by STAT RegionalDirector, Dr. Barbara ten Brink.

A state panel of master teachers, specialists,and administrators reviewed the applications andchose the outstanding science and mathematicsteachers for the National Science Foundation to

consider for state nalist status.

Teachers honored for the PAEMST awardsare identied from schools in the 50 states, theDistrict of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and theU.S. Department of Defense Education Activity.Each year, aer an initial selection process at thestate or territorial level, a panel of distinguishedscientists, mathematicians, and educators recom-mends about 100 teachers to receive the award

from a pool of these talented nalists.

The National Science Foundation, under thedirection of the White House, approved the Texascandidates as nalists for the national PAEMSTaward. If chosen as a national winner, the state -nalists will receive $10,000 and an all expense paidtrip for two to Washington D.C. for ceremoniesthat include recognition from the president of theUnited States at the Capital.

Next year, outstanding certied mathemat-ics and science teachers in grades 7-12, with veyears or more of teaching experience, are eligible.If you would like to nominate an outstandingmathematics or science teacher, nomination forms

are currently available at http://www.paemst.org .

Austin ISD also hosted over 8000 children at theZilker Botanical Gardens exhibit of Dinosaurs.

Click here for the news link.

Le to Right:Dr. Kenn Heydrick, Amanda Santana,

Candy Ellard, Irene Pickhardt

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I dont wish to criticize the museum and possiblyit has changed in the een years since I visited;Aer all, it was entertaining and I did get a coeemug!

My experience at the last SBOE meetingwas very similar to my experience at Roswell inthat again I was amazed at the lack of real scientif-ic information presented by many of the aendees

and witnesses. Although in the case of the SBOEmeeting, the stakes for our children are muchhigher. I couldnt help but become very concernedas several well meaning individuals, one right af-ter another, provided incorrect or simplistic mis-information about basic science concepts.

One of the main topics brought up by SBOEboard members and lay members of the public wasperceived dierence and controversy between mi-croevolution and macroevolution as demonstrat-ed by some of the following statements:

The question is not micro but macro thechanging of one species to another is thatis where the questions are at is that not

true? (SBOE member)

Failure to distinguish between micro

and macro evolution and by abandoninga commitment to strengths and weakness-es in TEKS will be detrimental to sound

education as well as reliable science.(Testimony)

Using the strengths of microevolution tosupport macroevolution that has no sup-

port. (Testimony)

Macroevolution (is) the transmutation ofone species to another. (Testimony)

So when we agree or disagree with evo-lution we are not talking about microevo-lution we are talking about the next stage-origin of life and do we have a relationship

to a primate. (SBOE member)

Consistently certain State Board of Educa-tion members and nonscientists testied about anon-existing conict between microevolution and

macroevolution. For biologists there is no mean-ingful dierence between microevolution andmacroevolution. Both are the same process thattakes place in the same way under similar circum-stances. When biologists use the terms microevo-lution and macroevolution they use them for de-scriptive purposes. Biologists consider evolutionto occur over a continuum from small changes thattake place over relatively short periods of time tolarge changes that take place over long periods oftime. Much of the testimony involved using thisvocabulary incorrectly. These individuals weretaking the terms microevolution and macroevolu-tion which have specic and limited meaning andusing them in a broader and incorrect manner.The testimony indicated an articial and incorrectdivision between these two terms that does not ex-ist. Basically evolution is a change in the geneticcode and there is no scientic reason why small

changes cannot become large changes. For moreinformation on microevolution vs. macroevolu-tion visit: hp://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB902.html, and hp://evolution.berkeley.edu .

Another piece of misinformation perpetu-

ated at the State Board of Education meeting wasan assertion that there are major gaps in the fossilrecord that put the theory of evolution in jeopar-dy. Two examples from the latest SBOE meeting

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For biologists there is no meaningfuldierence between microevolution and

macroevolution.
http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB902.htmlhttp://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB902.htmlhttp://evolution.berkeley.edu/http://evolution.berkeley.edu/http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB902.htmlhttp://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB902.html


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would be the following two statements:

Would you consider the gaps in the fos-sil record to be a scientic weakness tothe theory of evolution-the missing tran-

sitional fossils?

The transition fossils are not there de-spite aggressively looking for them for

well over 100 years.

First scientists have found many transitionalfossils, but more importantly, scientists know thatmany tissues, organs and organisms dont fossil-ize well. Scientists predict that there will be gapsin the fossil record. The fact that we have found somany transitional fossils and continue to nd spe-cies as would be predicted by evolution continues

to strengthen the theory rather than weaken it. Formore information on this topic, a simple explana-tion can be found at hp://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/IICgaps.shtml.

Testimony quoted below refer to the fa-mous Piltdown hoax, which although importantin its time, does lile to discredit the theory of evo-lution. In 1912, the Piltdown man was believed tobe the missing link between apes and humans

by the majority of the scientic community butit soon lost its credibility. Other discoveries suchas such as the hominid discoveries in Africa soonreplaced the Piltdown man as credible fossil evi-dence of the accent of man. SBOE testimony in-cluded:

We nd a piece of a skull fragment weclaim thats evidence yet that theres a dis-missal of that claim years ago yet it doesnt

hit the front page of the newspaper.

Follow up on the Piltdown man the miss-ing link skull. The missing link the skull,

was that an evolutionary fraud?

As most biologists would explain, ques-tions about the fossil record in relation to humanevolution have very lile relevance to the overalltheory of evolution. Even so, the fossil evidencefor the evolution of man is very convincing and

well documented. Click on the links for more in-formation on the Piltdown Man and human evo-lution.

Most science educators will note that thesearguments presented at the State Board of Educa-tion are old creationist arguments for the inclusionof religion in classrooms and are of lile scien-tic merit. What is probably most disappointingabout the whole process is that big issues aboutthe quality and scope of our science standards aredenigrated by a focus on old arguments that sci -entists have dismissed long ago. The big concernfor science educators is that the SBOE will require

textbooks to include misinformation and incorrectscience in the textbooks based on a requirementthat the books present strengths and weakness-es of scientic theories such as evolution. I urgeall educators to continue to be vigilant and proac-tive in addressing their concerns to both the TexasEducation Agency and the State Board of Educa-tion.

Information on contacting your State Board of

Education members is available on our website atwww.statweb.org.

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Other discoveries such as such as thehominid discoveries in Africa soon

replaced the Piltdown man as crediblefossil evidence of the accent of man.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/IICgaps.shtmlhttp://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/IICgaps.shtmlhttp://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/caah/landscapeandtownscapearchaeology/piltdown_man_a.htmlhttp://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/caah/landscapeandtownscapearchaeology/piltdown_man_a.htmlhttp://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.statweb.org/http://www.statweb.org/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/19/1019dino.htmlhttp://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/caah/landscapeandtownscapearchaeology/piltdown_man_a.htmlhttp://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/IICgaps.shtmlhttp://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/IICgaps.shtml


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ContentsOn the Brink of Success (contd.)

By Barbara ten Brink, PhD

TEKS. The value of the charts is that educatorsand researchers can see which TEKS have beentested, how students have done on each testedTEKS, how students have improved over time ineach of the four elementary TAKS Objectives, andhow students have improved cumulatively on thetest as a whole.

Researchers may examine each objective by high-

lighting the items missed according to the passingstandard for that year.

ConclusionScience educators have access to the Campus ItemAnalysis delivered to their campuses every yearand Answer keys from the TEA web site. Usingthe Statewide TAKS Data Over Time charts thatfollow, educators can substitute their campussperformance and analyze their campus trends. Do

your students perform at or above the statewideaverage? Does your district curriculum includethe TEKS? Did your teachers deliver instruction inthe tested TEKS to the rigor and relevance requiredby the TEKS? Are there gaps in your districts sci-ence curriculum or in the delivery of instruction?Do your students retain science instruction deliv-ered in grades 2, 3, and 4?

Having access to the TAKS items for 2003, 2004,and 2006, educators will want to use specic itemsto analyze why the students missed them. Was ita lack of math, visual, or scientic literacy? Is yourinstruction delivered at the lower levels of think-ing while the TAKS items are testing at a higherlevel? Have you found and analyzed trends that Ihave missed?

The purpose of analyzing the TAKS data is to align

our curriculum and instruction at the campuslevel with the standards adopted by the state. Inthis way, students and teachers progress towarda common goal: Science literacy for all students

as outlined by the Texas Essential Knowledge andSkills and as measured by the Texas Assessment ofKnowledge and Skills.

1Statewide Elementary Science TAKS Analysis2003-2007, published in Leaders of Learners, Tex-as ASCD, January 2008.

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http://www.tea.state.tx.us

Barbara ten Brink, Ph.D. is a science specialist forAustin ISD. She has served as president of theCouncil for Elementary Science International andTexas Science Education Leadership Association.She can be reached [email protected].

For a spreadsheet of the data referenced in thisarticle, please go to: http://www.statweb.org/State TAKS Analysis 03-08.pdf.

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http://www.tea.state.tx.us/mailto:[email protected]://www.statweb.org/State%20TAKS%20Analysis%2003-08.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/State%20TAKS%20Analysis%2003-08.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/State%20TAKS%20Analysis%2003-08.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/State%20TAKS%20Analysis%2003-08.pdfmailto:[email protected]://www.tea.state.tx.us/http://www.vernier.com/labquest


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http://www.vernier.com/labquest


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ContentsDoes Expelled Belong in the

Science Classroom?By Kevin Fisher

Expelled was released recently on DVD,so it is now widely available and easily accessi-ble for classroom use. Most states science educa-tion standards require that the science curriculumshould include discussion of the role of science(and scientists) in our society and the impact ofscientic ideas. So, it is reasonable for science edu-

cators to ask whether viewing the lm in scienceclasses would be a valid learning experience forstudents. The quick answer is a resounding No!;however, that answer is not simply an uninformedbias against intelligent design but the result ofconsidering issues of academic integrity, scienticaccuracy, and, most important, the education ofthe students entrusted to us in our classrooms.

IntegrityThe lm failed in the rst category even before

it was lmed: participation by scientists was secured

under false pretenses. Scientists who were interviewedfor the lm were told it was going to be a documen-tary entitled Crossroads and would examine conicts

between science and religion. But, it turns out that the

domain name used for the lm (http://expelledthemov-

ie.com) was secured before these interviews were ar-ranged, so it is clear that the producers had alreadydecided that the movie would be dierent from thatdescribed in the original agreements with scientists.

The lm also fails because it claims that legiti-

mate scientic research is being blocked by Darwin-ists and that proponents of :intelligent design are

being unfairly excluded from universities, researchcenters, and public discourse on the sciences simply

because they support ID. However, as many items inthis issue show, the facts on which these claims restare misconstrued. The martyrs of ID are not partici-pating in the process of scientic research, and so thescientic research community has not accepted theirideas.

AccuracyThe lm promises to explain intelligent de-

sign and detail supporting evidence. The lm alsoboasts that it will show fatal aws in the evidence forevolution. Similar claims and promises made manytimes before have turned out to be false. Does Expelledreally have something new to oer, or are the same oldhalf-truths repeated and embellished here?

The rst half of the lm examines the cases ofseveral individuals who were allegedly red by the in-stitutions that employed them for nothing more thatsupporting intelligent design or merely questioningDarwinism. Although these cases make for interest-ing viewing, there is nothing here that either explainsID or shows any evidence in its support. This is therst warning bell for a science educator: where is thescience that the lm promises to deliver?

The second half of the lm denigrates scientistsby portraying them as atheists. But, none of the 40%of scientists who profess a religious faith were inter-viewed; nor were their perspectives mentioned. Fur-thermore, there was no discussion of the numerousreligious denominations that reject ID, but accept evo-lution within the context of their doctrinal or theologi-

cal foundations. But, if ID is a scientic and not a re-ligious proposition with its own scientic evidence,then why is atheism even an issue?

The martyrs of ID are not participat-ing in the process of scientic research,and so the scientic research commu-

nity has not accepted their ideas.

The most astonishing and insultingpart of the lm occurs when atheistic

evolution is given as the reason forthe Holocaust.

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http://expelledthemovie.com/http://expelledthemovie.com/http://expelledthemovie.com/http://expelledthemovie.com/


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ContentsDoes Expelled Belong in the Science Classroom? (contd.)

By Kevin Fisher

The most astonishing and insulting part of thelm occurs when atheistic evolution is given as the rea-son for the Holocaust. In this powerful emotional pre-sentation, the lm overlooks one basic historical fact:German soldiers had the phrase, Go Mit Uns (Godis with us), on their belt buckles. Where is not the tie-into evolution or atheism in that phrase?

Eects on studentsWhat will students understand if they watch

this lm in school? Expelled implies that a controversyexists as to whether evolution can produce complex-ity and diversity of life. In fact, whatever controversyexists about evolution revolves around the competingmodels that contribute to evolutionary change andtheir roles in particular cases. This can be the subjectof stimulating, late-night discussions, but it is usuallyoutside the scope of a K12 science classroom most-ly because none of those alternative models wouldchange the content taught in these classrooms or howit was presented. A science educator buying into this

teach the controversy ploy would give students thefalse impression that evolution itself was in question,when the disagreement is about the details of evolu-tionary change.

More obvious is the outrageous claim thatscientists suppress new ideas that do not agree withmainstream science. In fact, any new idea is subjectedto scientic testing and peer review. If it survives, itwill become a part of the scientic consensus, and onlythen will it enter textbooks and classrooms. The non-Darwinian models now common in K12 texts and

curricula are clear evidence that science is open to newideas that have the research record to back them up.

Still undecided?Consider the potentially catastrophic eect of

these aacks on science education. In Only a Theory:Evolution and the Bale for Americas Soul (Viking,2008), NCSE Supporter Ken Miller writes: the choicewe face is whether we will continue to be the worldsscientic leader or quietly watch as the torch of discov-ery is lied from our hands. The message that theseaacks send is that proven scientic processes, meth-ods, and well tested theories are not to be trusted; an

entire generation of students will reject all of science,not just certain tenets. It is oensive and dangerous when a false controversy is manufactured for thepurposes of subverting sound science education. Stu-dents deserve nothing less than a 21st-century scienceeducation, which scientists uniformly agree includesevolution, presented in an uncompromised fashion.Expelled would push science education back into the30s the 1530s.

Expelled is delivered in a polished, professionalmanner. This does not look like a propaganda lm pro-duced in someones basement. This slick sales pitchenhances the false credibility of the lm. The lmclaimed it would dene design, present evidence for

design, and oer a devastating rebuke of evolution.The lm fails to deliver on all counts. Instead, the lmwill deliver a muddled, distorted vision of science, sci-entists, and evolution that will only confuse and mis-lead students.

The message that these aacks sendis that proven scientic processes,methods, and well tested theoriesare not to be trusted; an entire gen-

eration of students will reject all ofscience, not just certain tenets.

It is oensive and dangerous when

a false controversy is manufacturedfor the purposes of subverting sound

science education.

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President-Elect

Joel Palmer Lisa Leach

Vice President

Ross Ann Hill Susanna Ramirez

Secretary

Diann Valentine Karen Jo Matsler

TreasurerLaurel Frank Lola Grundy

STAT Needs Your Votes!Decide Who Will Represent Texas Science Teachers

Click HERE to vote, or go to:www.statweb.org/election.php

The Nominees

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It is with some trepidation that I run for STATpresident-elect, mostly because of the awesome re-sponsibility. As president elect I would serve for

three years on the STAT board during the implemen -tation of the revised Science TEKS. I have served asan appointed member of the STAT board for 12 yearsas editor of The STATellite and the TST. I have hadthe opportunity to watch as the STAT board workedtirelessly to have a positive impact on science educa-tion. I am very aware of the importance of this orga-nization to the teachers and students of Texas.

For most teachers STAT is CAST, the premiersta development opportunity for science teachers

in the state of Texas but STAT is much more. STAT isthe combined eorts of numerous science educators.STAT has 10 aliates composed of individuals witha wide variety of interest and focuses. These aliateshave a voice on the STAT board as the Aliate Con-gress. Serving as president of this organization is anawesome honor and responsibility.

I have taught in a wide variety of educationalsituations, a rural school in Louisiana, an inner city

school in Dallas as well as a Dallas Magnet Schooland a large suburban school in Mesquite, Texas. Ihave taught polylingual classes at Spence Middleschool and, some of the brightest students in DISD atits Academically Talented and Gied Magnet Mid-dle School. I have taught inner city kids, suburbankids and rural kids. I have taught Honors Physicsand Physical Science (long before there was IPC). Ialso have taught both pre-service and in-service sci-ence teachers. All that teaching has taught me a fewthings that I can bring to this role with STAT.

What is my vision for STAT? I want to makesure that STAT keeps doing what we do well. STATs

greatest contribution is CAST. We need to make sureit gets beer and beer. We need to reexamine ourcommunication conduits. The STAT web portal needs

to be the GO TO resource for science teachers inTexas. Our two periodicals need to have a clearer fo-cus. The STATellite, needs to focus on none-breakingnews, listings of professional growth opportunitiesand instructional materials for educators. The TSTshould continue to focus on science education re-search. We need to look into publishing books oninstructional strategies. I know that there are groupsand individuals in Texas trying to get importantworks published and would love to do so under theSTAT umbrella.

STAT needs to become proactive in establish-ing position statements on a number of issues thatTexas science teachers can use for leverage to advo-cate for best practice in science instruction. We needposition statements addressing lesson design, num-

ber of students per class, safe laboratory practice andothers.

I believe my classroom experience and cur-

riculum coordinator combined with my vision pre-pares me to lead STAT.

President-ElectJoel Palmer

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29

All children have the right to understand sci-ence. Every aspect of my career as a professionaleducator has focused on this fundamental fact. It is

our job to provide students with this opportunity.

My heartfelt passion is, and has always been,science education. The current TEKS revision is tre-mendously important for the future of the state ofTexas. I believe I can provide leadership that willsupport the delivery of a curriculum that is scienti-cally sound and conceptually focused. As a scienceeducation community, each of us has a responsibilityto ensure we are providing the most powerful learn-ing opportunities possible for all Texas students.

In my present position as Assistant Superin-tendent, I am responsible for district-wide curricu-lum, instruction and assessment. Our district has

been identied as a high-performing, high-povertydistrict. Seventy percent of the student population iseconomically disadvantaged and 11% live in residen-tial Childrens Protective Services (CPS) foster care fa-cilities. Despite demographics that could potentiallyimpair student performance, our achievement lev-

els remain consistently high across all demographicgroups. In a recent Texas A&M University study, wewere ranked 1st in the state in the educational suc-cess of Latino students (Melton, 2009). We can pro-vide solid evidence that students backgrounds andethnicities need not predict achievement levels. Anawareness of quality instruction, combined with asystemic, aligned curriculum across grades K-12, iscritical to student success.

Prior to my current position, I served for ten

years as the Science Education Specialist and thenthe Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction atRegion 17 Education Service Center. Earlier, I taught

high school science for ten years. Closing in on thirtyyears as a professional educator, I am more deter-mined than ever to intercede on behalf of the children

who are depending on us for their very futures.

My priority for STAT is to provide leadershipand support for teachers. Texas has outstanding sci-ence teachers who are commied to the academicand personal success of our challenging studentpopulations. Teachers need full administrative sup-port, encouragement, resources, and professionaldevelopment in order to do their jobs eectively.All students can indeed learn when provided witha clear systemic focus, high expectations, strong in-

structional support, and frequent assessment to helpbridge achievement gaps. I pledge to work withinSTAT to draw on and to strengthen the collective

body of knowledge, expertise, and commitment thatis so abundant among the states science educationcommunity.

I would be honored and humbled to serveyou as President-Elect of STAT. Science educatorshave always been a force to be reckoned with and

our voice is needed now more than ever to ensurethe future of our students and our state.

President-ElectLisa Leach

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One of the major issues facing science educa-tors today is the relevance of science education andhow to best prepare our students. Science education

increases students critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We as science teachers must nd waysto incorporate science and technology in a way thatwill best benet our students.

Todays students are saturated with tech-nology it is what they know and take pleasure in.Teachers must continually keep up with technologyfrom iPods to digital portfolios to not only keep stu-dents interest levels high but to also prepare themfor a technologically advanced world. Teachers must

nd a way to not just use technology to be more pro-ductive but to actually use the equipment to buildthinking and analytical skills in their students. Vir-tually every employment opportunity that our stu-dents will face will use technology and most will useit in a way that is beyond the mundane.

I believe that STAT is a driving force behindthe need for academic collaboration in this area. Asleaders in the state, STAT members should restruc-

ture and enhance their expectations of themselvesand of the students. Billions of dollars have beenspent on technology in schools. Technology has im-proved our communication and access to informa-tion. It has facilitated remediation and put the wholeuniverse within our reach. However, we must con-tinue to strive to integrate science and technologyin a suitable way to students that will teach them tothink critically and solve real world problems.

STEM education is vital to our students and

teachers in an increasingly competitive global econ-omy that will depend in a large way on our abilityto beer educate our students in math, science and

engineering. STAT is innovative and essential orga-nization that will help to beer prepare its membersfor the coming challenges. Today, an understanding

of scientic and mathematical principles and prob-lem solving skills are necessary for most jobs. There-fore, STEM education is an enormous and impera-tive need.

Vice PresidentRoss Ann Hill

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I have been an educator for a total of 9 years,7 of which have been in 5th grade Science. Through-out my teaching career I have had the great oppor -

tunity of being able to acquire a love and passionfor Science. My passion has allowed me many pro-fessional opportunities within my school district,campus, and region. At my campus level, I am theScience Specialist, who oversees the Science curricu-lum implementation across grade levels and trainsteachers in any area of need. At the district level,I represent my campus at all Science meetings andtrain teachers across the district during professionaldevelopment days and aer school hours.

I have been a member of the Region One Sci-ence Collaborative since 2004 and the University ofTexas Pan American Science Collaborative throughwhich I received my Masters in Education with anemphasis in Science. The collaborative have givenme the knowledge to help my students to succeedand the ability to present and help other teacherspursue their goals in Science. For this major reason,I joined the Rio Grande Valley Science Association in2004 and was able to become a presenter soon aer

joining. My greatest accomplishment in giving backto the community of educators is being the currentpresident of the Rio Grande Valley Science Associa-tion. Through my active participation in RGVSA Ihave been able to make valuable connections in Sci-ence across the valley and across the State of Texasand bring some of those connections down to the RioGrande Valley to present at our annual mini CAST.

I am now seeking the oce of Vice-Presidentfor STAT, in which I strongly believe that the experi -

ences I have had as an educator and as president ofRGVSA, which encompasses the Rio Grande Valleyfrom Laredo to Brownsville, have prepared me for.

Being an advocate for Science in my campus, district,and region, I would like to be given the opportunityto reach teachers across Texas and make connections

with the teachers in our area. Through my involve-ment in STAT, TSELA, TCES, and Txess Revolutions,I have had the opportunities to network with otherteachers across this great state of ours and feel thatI am a good spokesperson for the area of Science.My goal has always been to show my students andteachers that Science is fun, exciting and can openthe door to build curiosity about the real world. Theconnections they make between science and the realworld are those they can internalize for the rest oftheir lives.

Vice PresidentSusanna Ramirez

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Explore Our World is the theme of my classroom. As a classroom teacher for 29 years, I want ourfuture adults to have an understanding and appreciation for our earth. With a good foundation of science,our students can make a positive impact on our planet with the limited resources that are at hand.

Over the years I have participated in many traditional educational and eld experiences, which haveenriched my life as well as enriched the lives of my students. From my adventures in exploring my worldfrom rural, mountain, seashore or city dwellings, I have embraced conservation of all natural resources aswell as stressed scal responsibility.

STAT is an organization that allows teachers to share their experiences with one another to aid in thegrowth of our future. We need to model for our potential citizens the need to Walk and live lightly on ourEarth. Besides commiing to my students, I will commit to serving the science teachers of Texas. It would

be an honor and a privilege to serve as secretary for STAT as we continue to promote and provide excellencein science education.

SecretaryDiann Valentine

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There is no higher calling than teaching which shapes the lives, goals and dreams of future genera-tions. Someone had to teach the doctor to read, the technician to analyze and the accountant to add.

Teachers are like gardeners in the diverse elds of education. We plant seeds, cultivate, wait for theharvest, and sometimes replant. Some years the harvest seems hardly worth the eort, yet, as educators, webelieve in people. We believe they want to learn and that all people can become productive members of soci-ety. Consequently, we continue the cycle of preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, and nurturing whilemaintaining high expectations of the end result. Eventually, we see the fruits of our labor. Some blooms arelarge and ostentatious and some are so small you have to look closely to see them, but none are insignicant.Some plants have thorns, some are aromatic, some need pruning, and some need extra care and aention.Sometimes there are droughts (days, years) and sometimes we enjoy a garden that is absolutely stunning.

As we move forward with new challenges and opportunities, as educators we must ask: What seedsare we planting, what type of garden will we have in the future, and how can we be the best gardener? I

believe the best is yet to come as we work together to redene and improve education in Texas. We mustcontinually work to improve ourselves so we can help our students bloom and be productive.

As an ocer of STAT, I will work with the board, aliates and members of the science community toadvocate the continued progress of science education.

SecretaryKaren Jo Matsler

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As the current treasurer for the Science Teach-ers Association of Texas, it has been my pleasure toserve the science teachers throughout the state. Whatan exciting time to be a science teacher! Were facingmany challenges, but we also have many opportuni-ties to make a signicant dierence in landmark de-cisions impacting not only the students and teachersof Texas, but the state as a whole.

Our science standards (TEKS) are currentlyin the revision process, new science textbooks areon the horizon, and high school End of Course as -sessments are being piloted. Your choice to be anactive member of a keystone organization like STAT

shows your commitment to stay informed and tojoin forces with thousands of other science educatorsacross Texas. Just as voting for President gives you anational voice, your membership in STAT and yourvote for STAT ocers gives you a voice in state edu-cational decisions.

Time is not slowing down. We struggle tond time to t in the TEKS each school year, to pre-pare students for the next test, and to complete a lab

before the bell rings. STAT values your time by al-lowing you to stay informed about current scienceevents including action at the State Board of Educa-tion in Austin, giving you the opportunity to aenda high quality state conference, and providing pro-fessional resources through online and paper docu-ments.

Theres no subject Id rather teach and no stateId rather teach in. One of my favorite quotes is fromKatharine Graham of the Washington Post. She says,

To love what you do and feel that it maerswhatcould be more fun? When lesson plans includemeasuring a Mentos & Diet Coke geyser, launching

a bean bag with a trebuchet, or dissecting a frog, sci-ence becomes fascinating and engaging to studentsas well as the teachers who teach them. And whilefascination is wonderful, how much more wonderfulit is when we also give students the words and con -cepts to explain the science activity and, more impor-tantly, to explain the world around them.

I would be proud to represent science teach-ers once again as the treasurer of STAT. I love whatI do, I feel that it maers, and yes, Im having fun!What could be beer?

TreasurerLaurel Frank

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As a veteran of 25 years in the profession of teaching, I have watched this profession grow into anoccupation that requires true commitment (in the face of adversity), continuing education (to enhance ourown understanding and skill), and growth (as we mature into a consummate professional). With the onset ofthe No Child Le Behind Law, we are challenged daily to meet the needs of children with diverse family

backgrounds, multiple learning disabilities, and aitudes toward learning that we are expected to overcomeor enhance, dependent upon the readiness of the children in our classroom. Science education is the plat-form within the schools that has the power to ignite a childs curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. We arethe catalyst that can cause a child to become interested in a scientically based profession.

We are also challenged to teach children the how to learn and think about situations and possibleoccupations that we dont even know exist at this point in time. STAT has the voice to inuence science edu-cation by:

1.working with the Texas Education Agency to provide input that shapes the foundation of scienceeducation in our state

2.provide leadership through ongoing professional development at the state and regional levels withinthe state and3.providing new teachers with support and a personal contact that can serve as a mentor.

Without all of these foundational structures in place and supported, we will continue to see studentsdrop out of school at an alarming rate and we will see beginning educators become discouraged and leavethe profession for greener pastures. Please allow me to serve in a leadership role and support this orga -nization as it strives to provide ongoing leadership to meet the various needs of science educators in ourstate.

TreasurerLola Grundy

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C t t PE: Expanding Energy
http://www.oceanstaroec.com/http://www.oceanstaroec.com/


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Contents PE : Expanding EnergyEducation Workshops

At Ocean StarMuseum in Galveston 20th Street at Harborside Drive

Presents

Knowledge Box

Grades 6-12

Saturday, January 17

Saturday, February 21

Saturday, March 28

Saturday, April 25

Thursday, June 11

Thursday, July16

Thursday, August 6

Saturday, September 26

Saturday, October 17

Playing with Petroleum

Grades K-5

Saturday, January 10

Saturday, February 14

Saturday, March 7

Saturday, April 4

Tuesday, June 9

Tuesday, July 14

Tuesday, August 4

Saturday, September 12

Saturday, October 3

2009 WORKSHOP DATES

Participants will receive a light breakfast, lunch, the Project E: Expanding EnergyEducation Book (a $35.00 value), and a $25.00 travel stipend. A $35.00 checkalong with the registration will hold your place. This will be returned to you uponcompletion of the 6 hour workshop which begins at 9:00am. Each participantwill also receive 6 CPE hours and will be entitled to check out the Knowledge Box

for a 30 day period or the Playing with Petroleum Kit for a 14 day period toutilize in their classrooms at no charge. (Free pick-up and delivery within theHouston area.)

Our workshops have been approved for 6 hours of TEEAC credit.

I will need a sticker.

Mail checks to:

Offshore Energy Center

200 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 6220

Houston, Texas 77079

(281) 544-2435

Fax: (281) 544-2441

Please Print

Name:

Circle one: Administrator Teacher Preservice Teacher Home School Other

School Name and Address:

Home Address:

School District:

Home Phone: Work Phone:

Email Address:

Grade Level(s)Taught: Subjects Taught:

Workshop Date: Choice #1 _________________________ Choice #2______________________________

Kindly make cancellations 3 days prior to the workshop in order to receive a refund. "No shows" will be billed $35.00 or your submitted check will be processed.

For more information about the workshops, visit our website: www.oceanstaroec.comor contact Doris Tomas, Education Director, [email protected]

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Testing in science is coming. Are you sure yourstudents will perform well enough to meet require-ments? If you need to build your skills, learn new con-tent, and develop new strategies to raise performance,the National Science Teachers Association can help.

The NSTA National Conference on Science Education

is happening in New Orleans, March 18-22, 2009.

Join 10,000 science educators at this premierevent and take advantage of expert-led workshops oncritical topics, presentations by renowned speakers,and sessions for every discipline and grade band. Takeadvantage of our advanced deadline extended to Feb.20 for the best savings.

For additional information, visit:

www.nsta.org/conferences.

With nearly 2000 sessions to choose from, youllsurely nd what you need most. Here is just a sampleof what you can expect in professional development:

Scientist, comedian, teacher, and author BillNye the Science Guy, one of the original foundersof The Planetary Society will present on studyingthe planet from space.

Renowned ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin willspeak on Rain Forests, Medicine Men, and GoogleEarth: Curing the Incurable and Saving the Ama-zon in Six Dimensions

Detecting, Diagnosing, and Coping with Stu-dents Chemistry and Physics Misconceptions(High School)

Developing Literacy and Addressing ContentStandards Through Issue-oriented Science (HighSchool)

Hopping Into Math and Science Integration(Elem-Middle)

The Inquiry Carnival: A Potpourri of Activi-ties to Identify, Discuss, and Dene Process SkillsUsed in Inquiry-based Science (Middle)

Innovative Technology in Science Instruction(Middle-High)

Science Fair Projects for Elementary Students

(Elem) Phenomena of Nature: Developing, Classify-ing, and Answering Investigative Science Ques-tions in the K8 Classroom (Elem/Supervision)

Assessing the Eects of Professional Develop-ment on Teacher Pedagogical Knowledge (Super-vision)

There is a lot more to consider including DayLong Programs i.e. Informal Day, Professional Devel-

opment Institutes (ticketed) that are comprehensiveand focused study sessions, eld trips, and the Exhibi-tion Hall where you can view new products and bringhome hundreds of freebies for the classroom. Gradu-ate credit can be earned by aending 12 hours of con-ference programs. As a member of the NSTA Board ofDirectors, I hope to see you in New Orleans.

Vanessa Westbrook,NSTA Multicultural/Equity in Science EducationDivision Director and fellow TEXAN!

NSTA News

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Deadline for entering the Texas State-Fish Art Contest is March 31.Students and teachers should take time now to review the contest rules and regulations.

Texas students who enter the contest can win prizes of up to $1,000. Entries are judged in threegrade-level divisions: 46, 79 and 1012. Thanks to funding from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, thethree rst-place winners from Texas receive nancial assistance for travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota,

to compete in the national competition.

Its important that entries be prepared in the format specied in the rules, said Texas Parksand Wildlife Departments Zoe Ann Stinchcomb, Texas coordinator for the contest. For example, art-work must be the proper size and have the entry form glued to the back. The complete set of rules isposted on our web site, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fshart. Links on that page contain everything you need toknow to prepare entries and enter the contest.

Stinchcomb noted that a poster teachers can use to promote the contest to students can be foundon the contest page as well. However, home-schooled students are also eligible to enter the contest,

she said.

The State-Fish Art Contest is a program of Wildlife Forever, a multi-species non-prot conserva-tion organization that works to preserve Americas wildlife heritage through conservation education,preservation of habitat and scientic management of sh and wildlife species. Working at the grass-roots level, Wildlife Forever has funded more than 800 conservation projects in all 50 states, Canadaand Mexico.

State Fish Art Contest

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Do you know a teacher whohas made notable or signicantcontributions to science education

in Texas?

Nominate them for a 2009 STAT Award:

Click hereto nominate an outstanding teacher.Click hereto nominate a long-standing STAT member for the

Virginia Woods award.Click hereto view the nomination form for all other

awards.

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http://www.statweb.org/outstanding%20teacher.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/virginia_woods_award.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/other%20awards.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/other%20awards.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/virginia_woods_award.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/outstanding%20teacher.pdf


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Its not too early to start lookingforward to CAST 2009 in Galveston.

The proposal site for workshops is now open!To submit a proposal, go to:

www.hempsteadassociates.com/CAST2009/The deadline is May 1, so get yours started today.

For the CAST safety guidelines, go to:www.statweb.org/Minimum Safety Guidelines.pdf

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Want to be published?E-mail us your leers and articles!

STATellite Due DatesDue dates for publication of articles in The STATellite are:

Submission Deadline Publication DateJanuary 15 February 15

May 15 June 15

July 15 August 15

November 15 December 15

Text les or Microso Word documents are preferable, but PDF,

InDesign, PageMaker, or QuarkXPress les are also acceptable.

Please send pictures and text separately.

Mail or e-mail your submissions to:

Jon Rodriguez, Editor

The STATellite5750 Balcones Dr., Ste 201Austin, TX [email protected]

Changing your e-mail address? Let us know!Send us an e-mail with your name and your new e-mail address.

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STATellite - February 2009

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