Mayo Clinic Researchers Show how to Turn Around Science Education

 http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-researchers-show-how-to-turn-around-science-education/

NOVEMBER PPT MEETING - tomorrow night, Monday, November 16, 7-8pm- Lincoln STEM classroom (near Media Center)

Just a reminder about the PPT meeting tomorrow night!

Please join the PPT this month to learn more about Project Lead the Way and InSciEdout.  James Kulzer and Kyle Casper will be presenting.  They are hoping to do a two part series, starting with Part 1 on November 16 and continuing with Part 2 in January (Monday, Jan. 11).

James Kulzer is a master level teacher for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and the building lead teacher on Launch the elementary PLTW program and teaches the middle school PLTW program.  Kyle Casper is a gold master teacher for InSciEdout.

For November they will give an overview of each program:

    1. Address the PLTW modules that are being taught at Lincoln K-8.

    2. The use of iPads in these programs.

    3. Length of modules and extensions.

    4. Overview of InSciEdout modules K-8.

    5. Why the emphasis on Science?

We will also hear an update on the Lincoln Family Auction, the Special Projects process to disperse the auction proceeds, and other fun activities planned for the Lincoln community this year.  The Lincoln PPT is the parent, guardian and staff planning team at Lincoln, and all are automatically PPT members.  We will have a Spanish interpreter and a Somali interpreter available for this meeting.  

If you have any questions, please contact your PPT Co-Presidents, Cinnamon Marxen (cinnamonmarxen@yahoo.com or 250-4527) or Giuseppe Accardo (giuseppePPT@gmail.com or 250-0968).  Hope to see you on the 16th!

NOVEMBER PPT MEETING - Monday, November 16, 7-8pm- Lincoln STEM classroom (near Media Center)

Please join the PPT this month to learn more about Project Lead the Way and InSciEdout.  James Kulzer and Kyle Casper will be presenting.  They are hoping to do a two part series, starting with Part 1 on November 16 and continuing with Part 2 in January (Monday, Jan. 11).

James Kulzer is a master level teacher for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and the building lead teacher on Launch the elementary PLTW program and teaches the middle school PLTW program.  Kyle Casper is a gold master teacher for InSciEdout.

For November they will give an overview of each program:

    1. Address the PLTW modules that are being taught at Lincoln K-8.

    2. The use of iPads in these programs.

    3. Length of modules and extensions.

    4. Overview of InSciEdout modules K-8.

    5. Why the emphasis on Science?

We will also hear an update on the Lincoln Family Auction, the Special Projects process to disperse the auction proceeds, and other fun activities planned for the Lincoln community this year.  The Lincoln PPT is the parent, guardian and staff planning team at Lincoln, and all are automatically PPT members.  We will have a Spanish interpreter and a Somali interpreter available for this meeting.  

If you have any questions, please contact your PPT Co-Presidents, Cinnamon Marxen (cinnamonmarxen@yahoo.com or 250-4527) or Giuseppe Accardo (giuseppePPT@gmail.com or 250-0968).  Hope to see you on the 16th!

November PPT meeting: ADVANCE NOTICE

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR THE NOVEMBER PPT MEETING - Monday, November 16th, 7-8pm - Lincoln STEM classroom (near Media Center)

Please join the PPT this month to learn more about Project Lead the Way and InSciEdout.  James Kulzer and Kyle Casper will be presenting.  They are hoping to do a two part series, starting with Part 1 on November 16th and continuing with Part 2 in January (Monday, January 11th).

James Kulzer is a master level teacher for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and the building lead teacher on Launch the elementary PLTW program and teaches the middle school PLTW program.( https://www.pltw.org/our-programs)   Kyle Casper is a gold master teacher for InSciEdout and teaches the Middle school science program and InSciEd Out modules.( http://insciedout.org ). 

For November they will give an overview of each program:

    1. Address the PLTW modules that are being taught at Lincoln K-8.

    2. The use of iPads in these programs.

    3. Length of modules and extensions.

    4. Overview of InSciEdout modules K-8.

    5. Why the emphasis on Science?

We will also hear an update on the Lincoln Family Auction, the Special Projects process to disperse the auction proceeds, and other fun activities planned for the Lincoln community this year.  The Lincoln PPT is the parent, guardian and staff planning team at Lincoln, and all are automatically PPT members.  We will have a Spanish interpreter and a Somali interpreter available for this meeting.  

If you have any questions, please contact your PPT Co-Presidents, Cinnamon Marxen (cinnamonmarxen@yahoo.com or 250-4527) or Giuseppe Accardo (giuseppePPT@gmail.com or 250-0968).  Hope to see you on the 16th!

STUDENTS - Apply to attend the 10th International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics - Applications due TUESDAY

InSciEd Out invites Lincoln students grades 4-8 to apply to attend the 10th International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics in Madison, Wisconsin - June 22-23.

InSciEd Out will be sponsoring 16 students to attend this conferences. InSciEd Out will be paying for all expenses - lodging, food, conference registration, poster preparation fees, and will be providing transportation and adult chaperones. Students from Lincoln K-8, Kellogg and Franklin and the Century STEM Society have been invited to apply. Students selected will be required to create a poster for display at the meeting.

Students must apply to attend the meeting. The application is due NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 20, to Dr. Chris Pierret at pierret.christopher@mayo.edu. The application should be on one page, and should include the following information:

1. Student name, current grade, school
2. Abstract - In 200 words or less - tell us about your current work in science or science education.
3. Essay - In 200 words or less, describe how you have been personally affected by InSciEd Out’s efforts to improve science education.

The criteria/process for student selection for the Madison conference can be found HERE.

Background on the conference: http://www.zebrafishgenetics.org/
Students who attend the meeting will have the opportunity to attend workshop sessions (including two workshop sessions being presented by InSciEd Out); present their posters at conference poster session(s), discuss and build collaborations with meeting attendees in the InSciEd Out "Zebrafish in Education" room; and meet and mingle with scientists and educators from all over the world.

Parent Volunteers Needed for InSciEd Out Classroom Activity - March 27 and 28

The 4/5s will be working on a Water Treatment Module in late March. Parent/family volunteers are needed to help build the water filtration systems used in the module in the classrooms. Volunteers are needed on:

• Tuesday, March 27 in Mickey's room in the afternoon and
• Wednesday, March 28 in Mrs. O's room and Beth's room in the morning.

Please contact Beth Napton at elnapton@rochester.k12.mn.us if you are able to volunteer and she will provide you with specific times.

InSciEd Out and Lincoln K-8 Highlighted in Growth and Justice Report

InSciEd Out and Lincoln K-8 were highlighted as an example of greater Minnesota communities coming together in collaborative ways to advance student success. The report, titled "Whole Towns Coming Together for All Students: A Growth & Justice Education Policy Report", was published by Growth & Justice, a non-partisan, progressive think tank committed to making Minnesota's economy simultaneously more prosperous and fair.

Here is a description of the report: "Historical precedent is strong in rural and Greater Minnesota for vigorous and inclusive community involvement in educational success for all. Despite economic challenges and increasing racial diversity, evidence shows the effectiveness of community engagement and points to a revival in such activity across the nation. This new Growth & Justice report describes how many communities across Minnesota are coming together in purposeful and energetic ways to plan for greater success for all students."

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE REPORT - Lincoln's article starts on Page 9.

InSciEd Out Parent Volunteers Needed

We are looking for two to three parents who could volunteer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 to 12:30 for four weeks, starting the week of November 28 through the week of December 19. You would be working with intermediate (4/5) students to help them count zebrafish embryos, and doing setup and cleanup. Training will be provided! Email James Kulzer at jakulzer@rochester.k12.mn.us if you are willing to volunteer!

Lincoln InSciEd Out Video

CLICK HERE to view a video that highlights some of the successes at Lincoln and in Rochester Public Schools with InSciEd Out.

This video was created by Rochester Public Schools as part of the "Discover" section of the district website.  Visit Discover at www.rochester.k12.mn.us for the most recent videos, articles and news about what is great at Rochester Public Schools.

Classroom Volunteers Needed Tuesday (Today!)

A few classroom volunteers are needed today to help with zebrafish modules in the 4/5 classes - 11:00 to 12:00 in Beth and Mickey's class, 2:50 to 3:30 in Megan's class.  Let the teacher know if you can help out!

Lincoln's New Science Lab Celebrated!

Lots of excitement at Lincoln today as Superintendent Michael Munoz cut the ribbon on Lincoln's new zebrafish lab, created with a $65,000 grant from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.
Click here for the front page Post Bulletin Story - November 2, 2011
Read the whole story and check out the video of Lincoln in action here - from ABC-TV 6.
Read the article in the Post Bulletin Education Notebook here.
Congratulations to all who made this happen at the Greatest School in the Universe!

Midwest Regional Zebrafish Conference - Student Scientist Presentations

August 5, 2011 3:00-5:00pm
Marriott Ballroom, Downtown, Rochester, MN

Students are invited to participate in the K-16 student science poster session of the Midwest Regional Zebrafish Conference and Education Summit.
Projects presented in categories including K-8, 9-12 and 13-16 and will be considered for awards. Also, unique entries will be considered and mentored for publication in a special issue of the journal, Zebrafish.
You DO NOT have to be using zebrafish to participate in this conference.

The deadline to submit an outline of your presentation idea to be considered for participation is June 30, 2011.

Click HERE for the flyer with full information on presentation requirements and contact information.

InSciEd Out – An Exciting DC Weekend!

This weekend, seven Rochester MN students from Lincoln K-8 Choice School were in Washington D.C., along with educators from the Rochester school system and researchers from Mayo Clinic and Winona State University to present posters at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference. The presentations highlighted different perspectives on the overall curriculum which introduces genetics research and the zebrafish into the classroom, with students acting as investigators. In addition to the national science conference, the team met with the leaders of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, where a science teacher is also using zebrafish in her classroom. And in a surprise development, the team met President Barack Obama during a visit to the White House West Wing and lunch in the Situation Room!

The InSciEd Out team includes Chok Koth, Bennett Robelia, Kristen Hansen, Garrett Harveland, Allison Schroeder, Daniel Perno, Jacqulyn O'Neill and Ellie Ekblad, all students at Lincoln Choice School; teachers Megan Oswald and Corey Dornack; paraprofessional Michael Gobin, and principal James Sonju. On the science side were Chris Pierret, Ph.D., graduate student Tyler Koep, Stephen Ekker, Ph.D., and Karl Clark, Ph.D., all of Mayo Clinic; and Maggie Hoody, Ed.D., of Winona State University.

For more information, and to see the posters presented and pictures from the weekend, visit www.insciedout.org or the InSciEd Out page on Facebook or Twitter.

InSciEd Out Video

Check out this wonderful video of InSciEd Out in action at Lincoln:

Like Lincoln? Become a Parent Tour Guide!

Each year, the Community Relations Committee hosts about 12 presentations/tours for families considering application to Lincoln.  We are always looking for parents interested in being tour guides for these presentations.  Take a look at the Lincoln Tour Presentation, and see if you might be interested in informing prospective families about all Lincoln has to offer.  Come to an upcoming tour and see what the parent and student tour guides do.  The upcoming tours are December 3 at 9:30am and December 13 at 1:00pm.  More tour dates are available here.

Contact Cathy Nathan at natecate13@charter.net if you are interested in being a parent tour guide or in getting more information.