Winter 2012/2013 RPSEC Spectrum

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

Winter 2012-2013In This Issue:

Tis the Season

Student ProgramsPage 2

Future City andTraveling Science

Page 3

Masters ProgramPage 4

Planetarium Page 4 & 5

Galactic GuardiansPage 6

Adopt an AnimalPage 7

SC2 Conference and Science Fair Page 8

STEP and SEEDPage 9

CEMISTPage 10

Camp InventionPage 11

Professional LearningPage 12 & 13

AwardsPage 14

Celebrate the Holiday Season in theDuPont Planetarium!

Join us for a delightful show about the season that holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. ‘Tis the Season traces the development 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 explanations for the Star of Bethlehem.

‘Tis the Season is one of our most popular, longest 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 1, 8, 10, 17 at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. December 15, 22, 29 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 641-3313.

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

@ USC Aiken

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

K-12 Student ProgramsThis fall a record number of students visited the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with their teachers. The RPSEC Student Programs staff has developed several new programs this year in response to teacher requests. New pro-grams include Solar System Adventure Tour (planetarium), Meet the Elements, Animal Adaptations, Vertebrate Taxonomy, and Journey to the Center of an Atom.

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center currently offers 52 hands-on, inquiry-based programs. All of our programs are aligned with South Carolina and Georgia academic standards, and many of our programs are interdis-ciplinary. Our Student Programs website includes program descriptions, standards correlations, 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/travelingscience/ or call (803) 641-3683.

The deadline has passed for reservation requests for the 2012-2013 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 pro-grams 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 pro-grams.

Home School MondaysThe RPSEC is offering a series of monthly programs for home school students. The programs will be held on Monday afternoons from January through May. Reservation request forms are available online at: http://rpsec.usca.edu/student/1213/HomeSchool-MonSpr2013Request.pdf

One Monday per month, each child will attend (2) one-hour, back-to-back science or math programs. The programs will begin at 1:00 and end at 3:30 PM. The two programs for the younger students (Grades K-3) will be held at the same time as the two programs for the older students (Grades 4-8).

Students in the First Mondays group will attend programs on January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, and May 6. If needed, we will assign a second group to attend on January 14, Febru-ary 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13. Parents may request that their child be grouped with specific children.

The cost is $30 per student for the series and must be prepaid by the December 3, 2012 deadline. Please make checks pay-able to USCA. You may mail or deliver the form and payment to the RPSEC, USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Box 3, Aiken, South Carolina 29801.

A final schedule with dates and participant lists will be e-mailed to parents by December 17, 2012.


South Carolina and Georgia Schools Participate in the2012-2013 South Carolina

Regional Future City CompetitionThe mission of the National Engineers Week Future City Competition is to provide a fun and exciting educa-tional engineering program for sixth, 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 future.

Participating Schools

FREE Teacher Resources and VisitingScientists 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 na-

tionally 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 Scientists with Traveling Resourc-es and Neat Demonstrations (STRAND) volunteer for classroom presentations.

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

or call us at 803-641-3683.

Aiken Area Home EducatorsAiken Middle SchoolAlcorn Middle SchoolAshley HallBarnwell ElementaryBoys & Girls Clubs of SCCarver-Edisto MSChapin Middle SchoolDent Middle School

E. L. Wright MiddleEast Aiken School of the ArtsEast Clarendon Middle HighEdgewood Middle SchoolFelton Laboratory SchoolFirst Baptist SchoolFt. Johnson Middle SchoolJefferson Davis AcademyJohnston Ave Independent SchoolKennedy 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/

Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle Leavelle McCampbell Middle SchoolMerriwether Middle SchoolNorth Augusta Middle SchoolOur Lady of Peace SchoolPalmetto Middle SchoolPaul Knox Middle SchoolSt. Mary’s On the HillW.A. Perry Middle SchoolWestview Middle School


Solar System Adventure Tour Debutsat the DuPont Planetarium

Solar System Adventure Tour, an interactive planetarium program geared toward 3rd – 6th graders, debuted at the DuPont Planetarium in October 2012 and will be shown again in June 2013. Each person in the audience for this show becomes a member of the crew on the “Star Traveler,” a spacecraft designed to visit each planet in the solar system and everyone’s favorite dwarf planet, Pluto. Flight En-gineers help plot the course, Planet Specialists provide data on each planet, and Math Experts help determine whether the fuel supply is adequate to complete the journey to Pluto and still get home to Earth.Solar System Adventure Tour addresses many SC Science Standards for 4th grade and works well paired with our hands-on program Walk Across the Solar System. Fourth graders who attended both programs had fun and walked away with a better understanding of the objects in the solar system and the vast dis-tances between them. Those who participated in Walk Across the Solar System also received practice in two of the three critical areas in the common core math standards for 4th grade. Hopefully, more fourth grade teachers will request these two programs for their students next year. Teachers, please contact Darlene Smalley at darlenes@usca.

edu if there is a particular month of the year when you would like us to schedule these solar system programs next year.

Summer camps, daycares and other groups may request daytime showings of Solar System Adventure Tour in June 2013. Families and the young at heart may attend

public showings of Solar System Adventure Tour at 8 pm every Saturday in June 2013. We hope that many of you will join us on this educational mission through our solar

system!

Masters Degree in EducationalTechnology

Earn Your USCA Degree OnlineDo you enjoy using your computer? Do others ask you how to do something on their computers? Do you enjoy showing to others something new on your com-puter? Have you considered getting a masters degree? Then maybe it is time for you to consider the Masters of Education in Educational Technology (MEd Tech). The MEd Tech program at University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the University of South Caroli-na (USC) Columbia is accepting applications for enrollment. 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 technol-ogy-based instruction and training (e.g., software develop-ment, multimedia development, assistive technology modifi-cations, web-based development, and distance learning) in order to (1) prepare educators to assume leadership roles in the integration of educational technology into the school

curriculum, and (2) to provide graduate-level instructional op-portunities for several populations (e.g., classroom teachers,

corporate trainers, educational software developers) that need to acquire both technological competencies and understanding of

sound instructional 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


The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the USCA Classified Em-ployee Assembly have again joined together to support the Annual Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program.

USCA faculty, staff, and students as well as local residents are encour-aged to bring in a new, unwrapped toy to the Ruth Patrick Science Educa-tion Center during regular business hours. The deadline for donations is December 12th.

2012-2013Public ShowsPLANETARIUM

DUPONTInspiring others to explore the majesty of the heavens

DATES SHOW NAMES SHOW TIMES

2012 December 1, 8, 10, 17 ‘Tis the Season 7:00 and 8:00 pm

2012 December 15, 22, 29 ‘Tis the Season 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 pm

2013 January 5, 12, 19, 26 Ancient Sky LoreDigistar “Laser” Fantasy

7:00 pm 8:00 pm

2013 February 2, 9, 16, 23 Follow the Drinking Gourd 7:00 and 8:00 pm

2013 March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Larry Cat in SpaceTo the Moon and Beyond

7:00 pm8:00 pm

2013 April 6, 13, 20, 27Earth & Sky Night 4/20

Worlds in Motion 7:00 and 8:00 pm

2013 May 4, 11, 18, 25 In My BackyardMore than Meets the Eye

8:00 pm9:00 pm

2013 June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 *Solar System Adventure TourBlown Away: Wild World of Weather

8:00 pm9:00 pm

2013 July 6, 13, 20, 27 Explorers of Mauna KeaDigistar “Laser” Fantasy

8:00 pm9:00 pm

2013 August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Mission to MarsDigistar Virtual Journey

8:00 pm9:00 pm

All shows last one hour unless otherwise noted. Each show includes a live “sky tonight” portion.*New Show!

Special Events Spring Earth & Sky Night and National Astronomy Day: April 20, 2013•

For Planetarium information call: 803-641-3654 From Augusta: 803-278-1967 ext. 3654

More information is available on our website: http://rpsec.usca.edu/Planetarium/

Become a Galactic Guardian for 2013 See page 6 for more information

How would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic Guardian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a caring person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the next year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support programming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with your tax-deductible donation. For more information, [email protected].


$75 level: Galaxies and Nebulae: 44. Cat’s Eye Nebula, NGC 6543 45. Cat’s Paw, NGC 6914 46. Crab Nebula, M1 47. Dumbbell Nebula, M27 48. Flame Nebula, NGC 2024 49. Helix Nebula. NGC 7293 50. Horsehead Nebula B33, IC434 51. Horseshoe Nebula, M17 52. Lagoon Nebula, M8 53. Orion Nebula, M42 54. Owl Nebula, M97 55. Pillars of Creation (M16) 56. Ring Nebula, M57 57. Rosette Nebula, NGC 2237 58. Seagull Nebula, IC2177 59. Stellar Spire (M16) 60. Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070 61. Trifid Nebula, M20 62. Andromeda Galaxy, M31 63. Black Eye Galaxy, M64 64. “Cigar” Galaxy, M82 65. Pinwheel Galaxy, M101 66. Sombrero Galaxy, M104 67. Sunflower Galaxy, M63 68. Tadpole Galaxy, UGC 10214 69. Whirlpool Galaxy, M51

$50 level: Other Constellations: 70. Centaurus 71. Cetus the Sea Monster 72. Columba the Dove 73. Corona the Crown 74. Corvus the Crow 75. Delphinus the Dolphin 76. Lepus the Hare 77. Monoceros the Unicorn 78. Sagitta the Arrow

$400 level: 1. Sun 2. Moon Planets: 4. Mercury 5. Venus 6. Earth 7. Mars 8. Jupiter

$150 level: Zodiac Constellations: 13. Virgo 14. Libra 15. Scorpius 16. Ophiuchus 17. Sagittarius 18. Capricornus 19. Aquarius

$100 level: Special Constellations: 26. Andromeda the Princess 27. Aquilla the Eagle 28. Auriga the Charioteer 29. Bootes the Herdsman 30. Canis Major the Big Dog 31. Canis Minor the Little Dog 32. Cassiopeia the Queen 33. Cepheus the King 34. Crux the Southern Cross 35. Cygnus the Swan, Northern Cross 36. Draco the Dragon 37. Hercules 38. Lyra the Harp 39. Orion the Hunter 40. Pegasus the Flying Horse 41. Perseus the Hero 42. Ursa Major, Big Dipper 43. Ursa Minor, Little Dipper

3. Milky Way

9. Saturn 10. Uranus 11. Neptune 12. Pluto(Dwarf $399.99)

20. Pisces 21. Aries 22. Taurus 23. Gemini 24. Cancer 25. Leo

Stars and Star Clusters: 79. Albireo, a double star 80. Beehive cluster 81. Alcor & Mizor, double stars 82. Hercules globular cluster 83. Pleiades, the Seven Sisters 84. Polaris, the North Star

Brightest Stars: 85. Aldebaran 86. Altair 87. Antares 88. Arcturus 89. Betelguese 90. Capella 91. Castor 92. Deneb

93. Fomalhaut 94. Pollux 95. Procyon 96. Regulus 97. Rigel 98. Sirius 99. Spica 100. Vega

Thank You to our2012 Galactic Guardians

Milky Way - Sarah PattersonOphiuchus - Dr. & Mrs. Gary SennAquarius - Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth PerrineCanis Minor the Little Dog - Scott & Dianne NicholsonCassiopeia the Queen - Mr. Barry & Mrs. Deborah ShedrowCepheus the King - Mr. Barry & Mrs. Deborah ShedrowLyra the Harp - Dr. & Mrs. George Caskey, Jr.Orion the Hunter - Dr. & Mrs. Robert BuckleyUrsa Minor, Little Dipper - Ethan & Preston FeasterHorsehead Nebula B33, IC434 - Dr. & Mr. Walter Gramling,JrOrion Nebula, M42 - Sally PattersonOwl Nebula, M97 - John & Deborah McMurtriePolaris, the North Star- Brooke NicholsonAldebaran - Dr. Paul & Mrs. Monica DainerPollux - Mr. Robert & Mrs. Nancy Harrington

Become a Galactic Guardian for 2013 How would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic Guardian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a car-ing person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the next year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support pro-gramming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education

Center with your tax-deductible donation. For more infor-mation, please call the main office at 803-641-3313 or email [email protected].


Thank You to Our 2012 Adopt an Animal Sponsors!The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is grateful for the support of the following 2012 Adopt an Animal sponsors:

Eastern Screech Owl- ADOPTED by Ms. Barbara Fenstermacher•Eastern Screech Owl- ADOPTED by Dr. & Mrs. Gary Senn•American Alligator- ADOPTED by Bruce & Karen Morgan•American Alligator- ADOPTED by John M. Hutchens •Corn Snake- ADOPTED by Tristan Davis(Grandson of Deb McMurtrie)•Snapping Turtle- ADOPTED by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ferrell•Red-Eared Slider Turtle- ADOPTED by Anna Flahtery (Dr. Gramling) •Barking Tree Frog- ADOPTED by Drs. Carol and Bob Botsch•Southern Leopard Frog• - ADOPTED by Dr. Guy & Mrs. Mary Lynn HeylTiger Salamander- ADOPTED by Robert Flahtery (Dr. Gramling)•

A d o p t a n A n i m a l P r o g r a m 2 0 1 3

The RPSEC is looking for sponsors to help support the cost of feeding and caring for the ani-mals used in our K-12 educational programs for one year beginning in January 2013. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Deborah McMurtrie at [email protected] or (803) 641-2834.

BIRDSBarred Owl (Strix varia) Non-releasable male, Raleigh ................................$500

REPTILES: CROCODILIANSAmerican Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) female, hatched 2009, Caroline ..$250American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) male, hatched 2009, Tex ..........$250

REPTILES: SNAKESEastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) ........................................ $100Grey Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) ..............................................$100Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ................................................................. $100Albino Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ........................................................$100

REPTILES: TURTLESBox Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) ................................................... $75Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) ..................................................... $75Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) ..................................................... $75Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) ................................................... $75Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) .................................... $75Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta) ................................ $75

AMPHIBIANSBarking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa) ............................................................ $50Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) .............................................................. $50Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolora) ............................................................ $50Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) .............................................................. $50Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) ............................................ $50Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) .................................................. $50


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 spon-sors the Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The 2013 event will take place at USCA on Satur-day, March 16, 2013. First place winning projects by 4th through 12th graders from Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) public, private and home schools are invited to enter. Projects are judged for scientific reasoning, cre-ative ability, thoroughness, technical skill and clarity. As in the past, judging will be performed by scientif-ic, engineering and other technical professionals from SRS, SREL, USCA and the surrounding community. The science fair promotes students’ interest by providing 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.

Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Territory:

The Georgia counties of Columbia, Burke, Richmond, Lin-coln, Wilkes, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie, and

Glascock

The South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Saluda, Hampton, Bamberg, and McCormick

ON THE ROAD WITHSouth Carolina Science Council Area Conference

To show support for our national organization and allow (SC)2 members the chance to attend nearby regional conferences, we will not have the usual (SC)2 annual meeting in Myrtle Beach in

2012 or 2013. There will be a mini conference held at USC Aiken on Saturday, March 16th.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend a day filled with profes-sional development, networking and lots of fun! The (SC)2 mini-

conference will be in the morning followed by a Project Wild Training in the afternoon.

For more information please visit http://southcarolinascience.org/


Science and Technology EnrichmentProgram (STEP)

The Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) is a co-operative effort between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Silver

Bluff Audubon Center, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Cen-ter. Two field trip locations for STEP include the Savannah River Site and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center. At each location, STEP students utilize classroom and outdoor laboratories to conduct scientific in-vestigations on topics such as water and soil ecology, wildlife, for-estry, archaeology, navigation and more. For program information

please visit the STEP website @ http://rpsec.usca.edu/step/.NOTE: To visit the Savannah River Site, there are specific procedures that

must be followed two weeks prior to your visit for badging purposes.

27th Annual Science EducationEnrichment Day (SEED)

The 27th Annual SEED offered the community over 60 science and mathematics related exhibits 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 nano-technology, interact with Ft. Gordon soldiers, drive robots 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 3300 people attended this year’s event.

Thank you to our Platinum and Presenting Sponsors!


New Procedures for CE-MISTPartner Schools: Traveling Trunks

The CE-MIST & Aiken Writing Project Traveling Interdisciplinary Literacy Trunks (TILTs) project is now a competitive mini-grants program. Up to four (4) Traveling Interdisciplinary Literacy Trunks (TILTs) from CE-MIST partner schools will be funded in 2012-2013.

TILT teams (up to 4 teachers per team) interested in competing for a TILT mini-grant must submit a Letter of Intent electronically to [email protected] by Monday, December 3, 2012.

At least one TILT team member must have attended the Aiken Writing Project’s Summer Institute OR must agree to participate in the new Aiken Writing Project On-Line (AWOL) program. Two AWOL written activities are due by January 11, 2013.

These items must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by Friday, March 8, 2013:1. TILT unit plan form2. Daily lesson plans3. Implementation guide for unit

Four trunks will be selected for funding, and participants will be notified by April 2, 2013. All TILT materials must be purchased and invoices submitted for reimbursement by May 1, 2013. The maximum TILT budget for instructional materials is $800 per trunk.

The completed trunks will be placed in the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center’s Traveling Sci-ence and Mathematics Demonstration Program. When the trunk is complete and delivered to the RPSEC, each TILT team member will receive a stipend of $100.

Aiken Writing Project On-Line (AWOL) ActivitiesThe two AWOL activities include a reading reflection and an Implementation Guide that are due January 11, 2013. Descriptions of the AWOL activities are available at: http://rpsec.usca.edu/CE-MIST/Trunks/AWOLactivities.html

TILT FormsAll TILT forms are available at: http://rpsec.usca.edu/CE-MIST/Trunks/CE-MIST_TILT.html.

Important Deadlines:December 3, 2012 Submit Letter of Intent electronically to ([email protected])January 11, 2013 Complete Aiken Writing Project On-Line Institute (AWOL) activities March 8, 2013 Submit TILT unit plan form, daily lesson plans, and implementation guide April 2, 2013 Notification of awardsMay 1, 2013 All materials must be purchased and invoice submitted for reimbursementMay 15, 2013 Delivery of trunks to the RPSEC and stipends paid to teachers


Camp Invention is returning to the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center / USCA June 17-21, 2013.


GA: Brochure Professional Learning 2012—12.docx

2012-‐13 Transitioning to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Mathematics Digging Deeper to Unwrap the CCSS: Quarterly Support Sessions

Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, USC Aiken There is still time to register!!!

Each fun-‐filled CCSS Professional Development Support Session is designed to assist school teams in preparing to transition to the CCSS; gain a greater understanding of instructional shifts necessary for full implementation of CCSS: focus, coherence, fluency, deep understanding, application, and dual intensity (conceptual and procedural); and, learn instructional strategies that will essentially “change the face of today’s classroom.” Participants will learn strategies for the integration of the mathematical practices, modeling and multiple representations, and instructional technology (e.g. SMART technology, TI NSpire graphing calculator applications, online resources and applets, etc.). Participants will experience the levels of cognitive demand (DOK and Revised Blooms) implied by the CCSS and will examine web-‐based resources to supplement textbook material as necessary. Using SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Item and Content Specifications as guides, participants will be able to design formative and summative assessment activities that provide evidence of learning and reveal student misconceptions about the mathematics. The expected outcome of full implementation of the Common Core State Standards is more career-‐ and college-‐ready graduates with a deeper understanding of rigorous content and abilities to apply knowledge in-‐line with a technology-‐driven world of work.

Upcoming K-‐2, 3-‐5, 6-‐8, and 9-‐12 CCSS Sessions Registration Open Until 1 Week Prior to Each Session

Date Grade Band Area of Emphasis Domain or Conceptual Category

Status/Location

Friday, January 11, 2013 K-‐2 Measurement and Data Registration Open RPSEC USC Aiken Friday, March 1, 2013 K-‐2 Geometry

Friday, January 25, 2013 3-‐5 Measurement and Data Registration Open

RPSEC USC Aiken Friday, March 15, 2013 3-‐5 Geometry Friday, November 30, 2012 6-‐8 Expressions and Equations

Functions

Registration Open RPSEC USC Aiken

Friday, February 8, 2013 6-‐8 Statistics and Probability Friday, April 19, 2013 6-‐8 Geometry Friday, December 7, 2012 9-‐12 Functions

Registration Open RPSEC USC Aiken

Friday, February 22, 2013 9-‐12 Statistics and Probability Friday, April 26, 2013 9-‐12 Geometry

Fall Sessions Completed to Date Friday, September 21, 2012 K-‐2 Counting and Cardinality

Number and Operations in Base Ten Completed

Friday, September 28, 2012 3-‐5 Number and Operations -‐ Fractions Completed

Friday, October 5, 2012 6-‐8 Ratios and Proportional

Relationships The Number System

Completed

Friday, October 19, 2012 9-‐12 Number and Quantity, Algebra Completed Friday, October 26, 2012 K-‐2 Operations and Algebraic Thinking Completed

Friday, November 9, 2012 3-‐5 Operations and Algebraic Thinking Completed

Continue to Page 13 for Registration Information


GA: Brochure Professional Learning 2012—12.docx

How to Register: Registration forms are attached and posted online at: http://rpsec.usca.edu/ProfessionalLearning/

Use this link to complete the registration form online. (Note: You may need to download and install the latest version of Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat to use the online registration form.) https://acrobat.com/?i=tLspBJLxo5o30Ws4hy82TA

Each Session will be held from 8:30 a.m.-‐ 3:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Cost: $110 per participant for 1 session $400 per team of 4 participants for 1 session; $400 per participant for 4 sessions per grade band

Larger discounts can be given for larger group registrations in a single session.

For more information on the upcoming sessions or the completed/archived sessions please contact: Gloria Allen at [email protected] or (803) 641-‐3592.

SAMPLES FROM TEACHER REFLECTIONS

K-‐5 Elementary School Teachers “I’ve gained so much knowledge about the Common Core Standards through sharing of ideas and conversations with grade level teachers and coaches from other schools and districts.” “Thank you for teaching me how to unwrap the standards and find appropriate resources for implementation in the classroom. I will use this information and share with my colleagues!” “Seeing activities and useful resources that can be used to teach the standards has been most useful!” “Feel so much better about the implementation of the CCSS.” “I found the detailed information on Smarter Balanced Assessment Targets and Claims to be most useful!” “Looking closely at the standards and matching resources to appropriately instruct and assess students has changed my thinking about teaching and learning mathematics in my classroom.” “Math is fun! I never knew how exciting it could be!” “These are wonderful sessions filled with resources and effective information for transitioning to the CCSS.” “Opened my eyes to how in depth the [CCSS] standards really are! “

6-‐8 Middle School and 9-‐12 High School Teachers “I feel better prepared and I also feel that the CCSS will definitely enhance student learning and easily allow for more real-‐life application of material and more in-‐depth understanding of concepts.” “Conceptual knowledge is a definite plus in conjunction with procedural; the many resources are excellent for divergent teaching; various (hands-‐on) examples for explanations were excellent!” You have given us a wealth of information using CCSS, TI NSpire, etc. I feel more comfortable in teaching with these. “I was surprised by the amount of information I received and the great resources to assist with transitioning into the Common Core…I have learned how to break down the standards and use information to create related activities and assessments.”

“ I have a multitude (wealth of information), resources and material to use now! “I am no longer in the dark about what to expect and how to support teachers in the implementation of the CCSS… I just love it!”

2012-13 Transitioning to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Mathematics Digging Deeper to Unwrap the CCSS: Quarterly Support Sessions


Looking for that perfect holiday gift?Visit the Science Store @

the Ruth Patrick ScienceEducation Center.

Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award Presented toJennifer Craig-Holley

The 2011-2012 Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award was presented to Jennifer Craig-Holley at the Aiken County School Board meeting in November. Jennifer was nominated as a teach-er at Corbett Middle School, where she was an active par-ticipant in the CE-MIST and Aiken Writing Projects Travel-ing Trunk Program. Since 2006 this prestigious award has been presented an-nually to a K-12 educator who has demonstrated a keen interest in mathematics and science and has been effec-

tive in providing meaningful learning for K-12 students. This award recognizes a teacher in the CSRA who demonstrates a

passion for teaching and infusing a love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Ron O. Youmans Named the Dr. Robert AlexanderOutstanding Administrator of the Year

Ron O. Youmans, Principal of Allendale-Fairfax High School, re-ceived the Dr. Robert E. Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award at the November Allendale County Board of Trustees meeting. The award is named after the retired USC Aiken chancellor and is presented to a school administrator who promotes science, technology, engineering and mathe-matics education. Mr. Youmans collaborated with representatives of USC Aiken to obtain a grant to improve middle and high school teach-ers’ content knowledge and conceptual understanding in Math-ematics and Science. As a result, his school district was able to increase classroom support for teachers and implement best teaching practices, with the goal of engaging students’ interest and improving achievement in these subjects.

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 Center of Excellence in Educational Technology (CEET), DuPont Planetarium, RPSEC Student Programs, RPSEC Professional Learning, 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 submis-sion in the next newsletter is March 1, 2013.

Winter 2012/2013 RPSEC Spectrum

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Transcript of Winter 2012/2013 RPSEC Spectrum