Winter 10-11 RPSEC Spectrum

Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics!

Winter 2010-2011In This Issue:

Tis the Season

R. Alexander Award and Student Programs

Page 2

Future City and Traveling Science

Page 3

Masters Programand Ruth Patrick Award

Page 4

Planetarium Page 5

Adopt an AnimalPage 6

SEEDPage 7

CE-MISTPage 8

Science Fair and STEP

Page 9

Science Store andCamp Invention

Page 10

USC Aiken . 471 University Pkwy . Aiken, SC 29801 . 803-641-3313 . http://rpsec.usca.edu/

Celebrate the Holiday Season in theDuPont Planetarium!

Join us for a delightful show about the season that holds some of the warmest and brightest celebra-tions of the year. ‘Tis the Season traces the devel-opment of many endearing holiday customs and how they light up our lives during the darkest time of the year. The show explains the science behind the winter solstice and Earth’s seasons, and it explores possible astronomical explana-tions for the Star of Bethlehem.

‘Tis the Season is one of our most popular, lon-gest running shows. Many families come back year after year to rediscover the Christmas spirit through this holiday tradition. Make your reservations soon for public showings of ‘Tis the Season on any of the dates below:December 4, 11, 14 at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. December 18, 20, 27 at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00

p.m.

You may also schedule a private showing of ‘Tis the Season (or any other planetarium program) by calling

Janice Weeks at 641-3769.

Spring Break Day Camps

April 4-8, 2011More information available soon @

http://rpsec.usca.edu/

@ USC Aiken

RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics!

Reid named the Dr. Robert Alexander OutstandingAdministrator of the Year

Teresa G. Reid, principal of Macedonia Elementary School, received the Dr. Robert E. Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award on October 18 at the Blackville-Hilda School Board meet-ing. The award is named after the retired USC Aiken chancellor and is presented to a school administrator who promotes sci-ence, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Ms. Reid has supported the efforts of the school’s science and math coaches as they have facilitated enhanced science and math-ematics programs. The school established labs with input from their coaches. Ms Reid stated, “When teachers and students are afforded opportunities to be involved in exciting hands-on learning experiences, student achievement will show remarkable gains in mathematics and science.” At the same board meeting in October, Macedonia Elementary School was honored for mak-ing Adequate Yearly Progress for the second year in a row.

K-12 Student ProgramSThis fall a record number of K-12 students visited the Ruth Patrick Science Educa-tion Center with their teachers. The RPSEC Student Programs staff has developed several new programs this year in response to teacher requests. New programs include Probing the Periodic Table, Chemicals Matter, Ancient Sky Lore, and Measuring Matter.

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center currently offers 52 hands-on, in-quiry-based programs. All of our programs are aligned with South Carolina and Georgia academic standards, and many of our programs are interdisciplinary. Our Student Programs website includes program descriptions, standards cor-relations, and related Traveling Science and Mathematics Kits that support and extend each lesson. These kits contain excellent post-visit activities and are available, free of charge, for checkout. To reserve a kit, go to http://rpsec.usca.edu/traveling science/ or call (803) 641-3683.

The deadline has passed for reservation requests for the 2010-2011 school year. Once again, we received many more requests than we will be able to serve, and our schedule is now full. We are unable to schedule additional programs at this time, but will be happy to place your request on a waiting list in the event of a cancellation. To download a reservation request form, please go to: http://rpsec.usca.edu/student/.Thank you for your interest in the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center’s programs.

Student Programs Comparison 2005-Present2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Number of student program visits

18,394 20,635 20,703 23,414 27,838

Number of students on our waiting list

11,742 10,463 10,003 9,868 8,536 11,462 to date


South Carolina and Georgia SchoolsParticipate in the

2010-2011 South CarolinaRegional Future City Competition

The mission of the National Engineers Week Future City Compe-tition is to provide a fun and exciting educational engineering program for seventh and eighth grade students. This program combines a stimulating engineering challenge with a “hands-on” application as students present their vision of a city of the fu-ture.

Participating Schools

FREE Teacher Resources and Visiting Scientists Available

The Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program has over 300 science and math kits available for use in the classroom. Supplement

your curriculum with nationally recognized and state adopted exemplary materials. Kits have been correlated to SC state standards. Many kits contain children’s literature so that you can integrate your science and language arts lessons.

In addition to these resources, you can request a visiting Scientist with Traveling Resources and Neat Demonstrations (STRAND) for classroom presentations.

For more informationplease visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/

or call us at 803-641-3683.

Adelphi Christian AcademyAiken Area Home EducatorsAiken Middle SchoolAllendale Fairfax Middle SchoolBlackville Hilda Jr. HighBlythewood Middle SchoolCarver-Edisto MSChapin Middle SchoolE. L. Wright MiddleEdgewood MiddleFelton Laboratory SchoolFirst Baptist School

Kennedy Middle SchoolLBC Middle SchoolNew Ellenton Middle SchoolNorth Augusta Middle SchoolPalmetto Middle SchoolPaul Knox Middle SchoolPineridge AcademySt. Mary on the Hill SchoolW. G. Sanders MSWA Perry School of AerospaceWG Sanders MSWoodmont Middle School

The SC Regional Future City Competition is sponsored by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and Savannah River Site Education Outreach Programs. For more information visit http://futurecity.org/


Masters Degree in EducationalTechnology

Earn Your USCA Degree OnlineDo you enjoy using your computer? Do oth-ers ask you how to do something on their computers? Do you enjoy showing to others something new on your computer? Have you considered getting a masters degree? Then maybe it is time for you to consider the Masters of Education in Educational Technolgy (MEd Tech). The MEd Tech program at University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the University of South Carolina (USC) Columbia is accepting applications for en-rollment. For more information visit:http://edtech.usca.edu/. The focus of the program is to develop capabilities essential to the effective design, evaluation, and delivery of technology-based instruction and training (e.g., software development, multimedia development, assistive technology modifications, web-based development, and distance learning) in order to (1) prepare educators to assume leadership roles in the inte-gration of educational technology into the school curriculum,

and (2) to provide graduate-level instructional opportunities for several populations (e.g., classroom teachers, corporate train-

ers, educational software developers) that need to acquire both technological competencies and understanding of sound instruc-

tional design principles and techniques. Anyone interested in enrolling in this program

should contact Karen Morris at 803-641-3489.

Foundational Core Courses (6 hours)AERM/EDRM 700 – Introduction to Research in EducationAEET/EDET 709 – Applications of Learning PrinciplesDesign Courses (15 hours)AEET/EDET 603 – Design and Development Tools IAEET/EDET 703 – Design and Development Tools IIAEET/EDET 722 – Instructional Design and AssessmentAEET/EDET 755 – Design and Evaluation of Information Access and DeliveryAEET/EDET 793 – Advanced Instructional Design and DevelopmentTechnology Core Courses (12 hours)AEET/EDET 650 – Internship in Educational TechnologyAEET/EDET 735 – Technological Applications for Diverse PopulationsAEET/EDET 746 – Management of Technology ResourcesAEET/EDET 780 – Seminar in Educational TechnologyElectives (3 hours chosen from the following courses)AEET/EDET 652 – Design and Evaluation of Games and SimulationsAETE 731 – Instructional and Informational Applications of Technology orEDTE 731 – Integration of Technology and Instruction SLIS 706 – Introduction to Information TechnologiesTSTM 790 – Advanced Study in Technology Support/Training Management

Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award RecipientDebbie Courtney

The 2009-2010 Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award was pre-sented to Debbie Courtney at an Edgefield County School Board meeting on October 19, 2010. Debbie is a teacher at Johnston, Edgefield, Trenton Middle School, where she continually strives to incorporate new ideas and ways of teaching to keep young minds engaged and eager to learn.

Since 2006 this prestigious award has been presented annually to a K-12 educator who has demonstrated a

keen interest in mathematics and science and has been effective in providing meaningful learning for K-12 stu-

dents. This award recognizes a teacher in the CSRA who demonstrates a passion for teaching and infusing a love of

science, technology, engineering and mathematics.


lanetarium2010-2011

Public Show Schedule

For more information please visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/

The University of South Carolina AikenRuth Patrick Science Education Center

471 University Parkway • Aiken, SC 29801.

The DuPontPlanetarium

DuPont Planetarium ScheduleAugust 14 -August 2011

http://rpsec.usca.edu/Planetarium/

Images Courtesy of NASA

DATES SHOW NAMES SHOW TIMES

2010 August 14, 21, 28 Follow the Drinking GourdDigistar Virtual Journey

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2010 September 4, 11, 25 Mission to Mars 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2010 September 18(International Observe the Moon Night)

Larry Cat in SpaceTo the Moon and Beyond

7:00 p.m.8:00 and 9:00 p.m.

2010 October 2, 9, 23, 30 Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2010 October 16: SEED (National Astronomy Day)

Two Small Pieces Of Glass and Eye Spy the Sky

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Alternating every half hour

2010 November 6, 13, 20, 27 Worlds in Motion 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2010 December 4, 11, 14 ‘Tis the Season 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2010 December 18, 20, 27 ‘Tis the Season 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 p.m.

2011 January 8, 15, 22, 29 (40th anniversary Apollo 14)


7:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.

2011 February 5, 12, 19, 26 Follow the Drinking Gourd 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2011 March 5, 12, 19, 26 Mission to Mars Journey into the Living Cell

7:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.

2011 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Worlds in Motion 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2011 May 7 Explorers of Mauna Kea 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 & 10:00 p.m.

2011 May 14, 21, 28 More Than Meets the EyeDigistar Laser Fantasy

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2011 June 4, 11, 18, 25 In My BackyardDigistar Virtual Journey

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2011 July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (40th anniversary Apollo 15)


8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2011 August 6, 13, 20, 27 Follow the Drinking GourdDigistar Laser Fantasy

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

Special Events • International Observe the Moon Night: September 18, 2010• SEED: Science Education Enrichment Day: October 16, 2010• Total Lunar Eclipse visible after midnight: December 21, 2010• Spring Earth & Sky Night and National Astronomy Day: May 7, 2011

Join us on the campus of USC Aiken

For Planetarium information call:803-641-3654

From Augusta (803-278-1967 ext. 3654)

To Schedule Private Shows (such as birthday parties)

call: 803-641-3769

For Science Store information call:803-641-3313

The DuPontPlanetarium

and


BIRDS

Barred Owl (Strix varia) Non-releasable male, Raleigh ADOPTED by Dr. Jeffrey Priest

Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) red phase non-releasable male, Winston $300

Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) grey phase non-releasable female, SalemADOPTED by

Dr. Gary and Mandy Senn

REPTILES: CROCODILIANSAmerican Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) female, hatched 2009, Caroline $250

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) male, hatched 2009, Tex ADOPTED by Preston Tiffany

REPTILES: SNAKESEastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) $100Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) $100Grey Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) $100Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) $100

Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ADOPTED by The Bernard Family

Albino Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ADOPTED by Tristan Davis

REPTILES: TURTLESBox Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) $75Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) $75Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) $75Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) $75

Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) ADOPTED by Anna Flaherty

Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) $75Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta) $75

AMPHIBIANS

Barking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa) ADOPTED byDr. Carol Botsch

Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) $50Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolora) $50Southern Leopard Frog (Rana urticularia) $50Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) $50Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) $50Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) $50

Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) ADOPTED by Robert Flaherty

Adopt an AnimalThe Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is looking for sponsors to help support the cost of feeding and caring for the animals used in our K-12 educational programs. An animal may be adopted by an individual, a business, or a group such as an elementary school class or a scout troop. The sponsors’ names will be displayed with the adoptee, and they will be recognized in the Center’s publications and website as Friends of the RPSEC. Donations are tax deductible; sponsorship opportunities for 2010-2011 are listed below. For more information, please contact Deborah McMurtrie [email protected] or (803) 641-2834.


25th Annual Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED)

Sets RECORDThe 25th Annual SEED offered the community over 50 science and mathematics related exhib-its and activities hosted by business, industry and school organizations. Visitors had the chance to make their own paper, build straw towers, make slime, learn about satellite communications, inter-act with an active police bloodhound and much more. Students also had the chance to test their skills with SEED Trivia, completing math puzzles and exploring other thought-provoking exhib-its. Over 2900 people attended this year’s event.

SEED was a satellite event of the USA Science and Engineering Festival held in Washington, DC.More than 500,000 people of all ages cel-

ebrated science and engineering on the Na-tional Mall on October 23 and 24, 2010!

An additional 250,000 attended 82 Satellite Events in 27 states across the nation!

Anna Flaherty adopted a red- eared slider turtle

RobertFlaherty

adopted a tiger

salamander


CE-MIST Partners with Aiken Writing Project to Develop Traveling Interdisciplinary

Literacy TrunksLast year, a unique partnership between the Aiken Writing Project and the Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teach-ing (CE-MIST) resulted in the development of nine Traveling Interdisciplin-ary Literacy Trunks.

Teachers collaborated in grade-level, horizontal planning teams to de-velop interdisciplinary units and purchase instructional materials with a budget of $800 per trunk. Teams were comprised of one teacher from each of the four main content areas and one additional teacher from an-other discipline such as art, music, or physical education. In order to be eligible for funding, one member of the team was required to participate in the Aiken Writing Project Summer Institute.

The teachers designed interdisciplinary units of study that were aligned with academic standards from multiple content areas and infused with pre-writing and writing activities. Each Traveling Trunk included a unit plan, children’s literature, class sets of novels, teacher resource lists, and instructional materials such as science equipment and math manipula-

tives.

The Aiken Writing Project provided oversight of the units and helped de-velop a rubric to evaluate the trunks. Additional funding was obtained to du-

plicate four of the trunks, which will soon be put into circulation through the Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program at the Ruth Pat-

rick Science Education Center.

2011 Traveling InterdisciplinaryLiteracy Trunks for CE-MIST Schools

We are pleased to announce that The Aiken Writing Project hasagreed to fund the Traveling Interdisciplinary Literacy Trunks proj-ect for CE-MIST schools again this year. Guidelines, forms, and sample unit plans for the project can be found at:http://rpsec.usca.edu/CE-MIST/CE-MISTteacher.html

At least one member from each CE-MIST Traveling Trunks teammust attend the Aiken Writing Project Summer Institute (3 weeks)along with a Pre-Institute (1 day) in March. Teachers who attend the Summer Institute will receive an additional $200 stipend as well assix hours of graduate credit (AETE 760 Issues in Writing).

ALTERNATIVE TO SUMMER INSTITUTE: If no one from your teamcan attend the Summer Institute, then at least one member must attend the Aiken Writing Project Open Institute, to be held on two Saturday mornings in the spring. Teachers who attend both ses-sions of the AWP Open Institute will receive a $50 stipend.

For more information, go to: http://rpsec.usca.edu/CE-MIST/CE-MISTteacher.html


CSRA Science and Engineering FairSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, in partnership with the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, once again proudly sponsors the Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The 2011 event will take place at USCA on Saturday, March 12, 2011. First place win-ning projects by 4th through 12th graders from CSRA public, private and home schools are invited to enter. Projects are judged for scientific reasoning, creative ability, thoroughness, technical skill and clarity. As in the past, judging will be performed by scientific, engineering and other technical professionals from SRS, USCA and the surrounding community. The science fair promotes students’ interest by pro-viding public recognition of outstanding work and by giving students the opportunity to interact with community scientists. Lots of great prizes will be given during the awards ceremony. For additional information, contact Kim Mitchell, SRS Education Outreach Programs, at [email protected] or 803-952-8782.

CSRA Territory:

The Georgia counties of Columbia, Burke, Richmond, Lincoln, Wilkes, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie,

Emanuel, Jenkins, and Glascock

The South Carolina counties of Hampton, Allendale, Barn-well, Bamberg, Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda, and McCormick

Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP)

The Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) is a cooperative effort between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Silver Bluff Audubon

Center, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. Two field trip loca-tions for STEP include the Savannah River Site and the Silver Bluff Audu-bon Center. At each location, STEP students utilize classroom and outdoor laboratories to conduct scientific investigations on topics such as water and soil ecology, wildlife, forestry, archaeology, navigation and more. For program information please visit the STEP website at:http://rpsec.usca.edu/step/

NOTE: To visit the Savannah River Site, there are specific procedures that must be followed 2 weeks prior to your visit for badging purposes.


The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center Newsletter is a publication of the RPSEC for our patrons. The RPSEC housed at the University of South Carolina Aiken encompasses the CSRA S2Mart Center, Center of Excellence in Educational Technol-ogy (CEET), DuPont Planetarium, RPSEC Student Programs, Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program (TSMDP), the Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP), and Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE- MIST). If you have any information that would be beneficial to the audience of this newsletter, or if you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact John Hutchens, Editor, at 803-641-3474 or via email to [email protected]. Deadline for submission in the next newsletter is March 1, 2011.

Looking for thatperfect holiday gift?Visit the Science Store @ the

Ruth Patrick ScienceEducation Center.

Call 641-3313 for store hours.

In partnership with:

United States Patent

and Trademark Office

www 800.968.4332

The Camp Invention

program is a weeklong

summer experience in

creativity led by local

educators that provides

educational enrichment

through exciting,

hands-on activities.

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© 2008 National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation

presents...

June 20-24, 2011@ the RPSEC

Winter 10-11 RPSEC Spectrum

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Transcript of Winter 10-11 RPSEC Spectrum