STEM Resources

Some STEM Resources from HIDOE:

The Hawaii STEM portal 
 http://mystemhawaii.org 

Under Resources, there is a What is STEM one pager.  Perhaps we ought to agree on a definition of STEM at some point as well.  Not as complicated as ESS, thankfully. :)

Anyone can also join the Hawaii STEM group on Edmodo.  There are instructions how to do this on the STEM portal link above here under Resources.  Or search for it using this code:  cvu665

Edmodo is cool.  I think Katie said she uses it.  Anyone else?  If so, if there are any Edmodo groups that have good resources, maybe we should share them.

Standards Feedback

I just wanted to share the information I received from two of the STEM Resource Teachers (one Big Island and one Maui) regarding standards alignment for curriculum development.  Since there is still no statewide Science Specialist for the HIDOE, I believe these folks might have the most valuable voice on the matter.

"The HIDOE is slow to adopt the NGSS, therefore, all current curriculum development projects should align to HCPS III for Science and Common Core for Math and L.A.  Integration of NGSS is still on the horizon."
These are Alan Nakagawa's words, my colleague and STEM RT for West Hawaii on the Big Island.

I'm curious if this resonates with the other HIDOE teachers on the cohort as well as everyone.

Cross-Cutting Concepts

Here are 7 Cross-cutting Concepts for you to read through...
1.  Patterns. Observed patterns of forms and events guide organization and classification, and they prompt questions about relationships and the factors that influence them.
2. Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation. Events have causes, sometimes simple, sometimes multifaceted. A major activity of science is investigating and explaining causal relationships and the mechanisms by which they are mediated. Such mechanisms can then be tested across given contexts and used to predict and explain events in new contexts.
3. Scale, proportion, and quantity. In considering phenomena, it is critical to recognize what is relevant at different measures of size, time, and energy and to recognize how changes in scale, proportion, or quantity affect a system’s structure or performance.
4. Systems and system models. Defining the system under study—specifying its boundaries and making explicit a model of that system—provides tools for understanding and testing ideas that are applicable throughout science and engineering.
5. Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation. Tracking fluxes of energy and matter into, out of, and within systems helps one understand the systems’ possibilities and limitations.
6. Structure and function. The way in which an object or living thing is shaped and its substructure determine many of its properties and functions.
7. Stability and change. For natural and built systems alike, conditions of stability and determinants of rates of change or evolution of a system are critical elements of study

Garden Teaching Resources

Aloha from the Big Island for the 3rd and final time this Saturday, 

In response to some questions from a few of you regarding teaching in the garden, I just wanted to post some resources that relate to gardening with students. 

1) Kokua Foundation: http://kokuahawaiifoundation.org/resources/educators/ 

      This is Jack Johnson's foundation that sponsors some wonderful scholarships/grants/events around the state to support school gardens and sustainable school practices in general. They have lots of mini grants for environmental projects/field trips that I have applied for and receive in the past. Also some great online resources.

2) Kohala Center- Hawaii Island School Garden Network: http://www.kohalacenter.org/HISGN/curriculum.html

I am highly involved with this program and helped to develop the curriculum/resources on this page. The woman who runs this program, Nancy Redfeather, is simply dynamite. We have posted some lessons and are working to create a standards aligned curriculum. 

3) Ku Aina Pa: http://kohalacenter.org/teachertraining/about.html

Also sponsored by the Kohala Center, this is the Garden Teacher Certification training I just completed. I highly recommend this program. Although registration for cohort 2 has passed, I am sure you could register for cohort 3 which will begin next June. 

Hope some of these links are interesting and useful!

Hayley

Vision Statement- First Attempt

Team,

We made the goal of posting a rough/working/drafty vision statement by July 1^st and we don’t have any posts on this topic yet, at least that I can see. (Bev, would you be able to post that example vision statement you shared with us when we were together so that we can use the format to help us? I remember you breaking down the format quite nicely.)

I searched for a vision statement of the NOAA curriculum, but did not find one. I also found many lengthy vision statements that precursor large, science curriculums, however, I would encourage us to be succinct and specific. This means we might need to identify our key cross cutting themes before drafting a vision statement. In my first try to draft a vision statement, I found myself naming some of the cross cutting themes we might address: Systems (this one seems like a given), Stability and change, and Cause and Effect.  I realize these are still up for discussion.

 Here is my first stab at it:

After engaging in the Celestial Islands Earth Systems Science curriculum students will…

1) Have a comprehensive understanding of the natural features that make the Hawaiian Islands' natural and cultural history unique.                       

2) Identify and begin to understand the interconnectedness of the five major spheres of science, atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), geosphere (land), biosphere (life), and cryosphere (ice?).

3) Gain ability to recognize, and discuss the Natural Systems of Hawaii, and how these systems are susceptible to Stability and Change.

4) Recognize plants, animals, cultural practices and landforms unique to Hawaii and explore the Cause and Effect relationships of them.  

*Each of these statements would easily be able to be changed into “I can” statements.

Again, I am unsure of the format and realize that the cross cutting concepts we would like to address are still up for discussion. This is just a rough, first try.

Thanks for reading,

Hayley

ESS Definition Analysis

Aloha all,

All three ESS definitions posted by Paula, Katie, and Joyce are very similar in the following ways:

1)  Each definition makes mention of the five basic spheres of the earth.

2)   Each of the definitions comments on the importance of examining the interconnectedness of the spheres. No single sphere can be studied in isolation. For example, from ESS in a nutshell that Paula posted, “The difficulty with any representation that divides the system is the danger of continuing a deconstructed perception of the holistic Earth system - in reality no part of the Earth system can be considered in isolation from any other part.” I think this is important.

3)  Two of the definitions speak about using chemistry, biology and physics to examine these spheres.

If we can agree on these 3 core similarities, we have a working definition of ESS, and we just need to flush out specifics and deal with the semantics. From my perspective, here are the details we need to tackle/consider:

1)  Which spheres should we include in our definition?  Most definitions include, atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), geosphere (land) and biosphere (life.) Sometimes the cryosphere seems to be listed as an afterthought. It mostly relates to the polar regions and ice (Maybe we could provide connections to this sphere with exploration of climate change?) Also missing, as the definition Paula posted states, “is the critical context within which the Earth system operates: the solar system and galaxy beyond (sometimes referred to as the exosphere), source of driving energy for the Earth (the Sun) and of critical external inputs such as asteroids and comets whose impacts have altered the Earth system significantly in the past.”

2)  Is there something unique about the study of ESS in Hawaii we need to include in our definition? Part of our mission is to create a curriculum that is highly place based, how should Hawaii’s singular location, evolutionary history and strong connection to traditional Hawaiian culture inform the definition we use for this curriculum?

*Instead of posting yet another definition, I hope this analysis of the three definitions that have been posted will serve to further our discussion on ESS definitions.

Project 2061

Aloha All,

Bev mention Project 2061 several times during our meetings,  so I decided to check it out.  Great site with great resources, something you might wanna check out as well!  Thanks Bev!

http://www.project2061.org/

Founded in 1985, Project 2061 is a long-term initiative of AAAS to help all Americans become literate in science, mathematics, and technology. To achieve that goal, Project 2061 conducts research and develops tools and services—books, CD-ROMS, on-line resources, professional development, and public outreach—that educators, researchers, parents and families, and community leaders can use to make critical and lasting improvements in the nation’s education system.

ESS Definition

Hi All,

Thank you for posting the first definitions Joyce and Paula!   I enjoyed reading your notes, Joyce, and see that you have become a Notability professional, Bravo!  Here's my definition, taken from Elementary Globe.

The Earth as a System

When discussing Earth, scientists often organize it into five "spheres": the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere.  These spheres are connected to each other in a complex web of processes.  Instead of focusing on the individual parts of the Earth, Earth System scientists use chemistry, biology, and physics to study the cycles that connect these spheres with each other and with the energy from the Sun, which ultimately drives all of the processes.  

Looking forward to reading others and merging them into one superb idea!


I leave you with a picture from our field trip to the Hawaii Nature Center this year. We were learning about ESS! It also kind of fits with your graphic, Joyce:-)

ESS definition from Joyce

ESS -a working definition

Hey there gang,
I am on my trip and had some time in the airplane to compose a definition.  I will send the whole working definition on to you via email, but here it is on the blog for you to consider.  I am not a blogger so let's hope this works.  Check your emails for a graphic I was thinking about as well.
Smiles, Joyce


Working ESS definition for Celestial Islands:
Earth systems science is the interdisciplinary approach of studying the earth as a system.  Such an approach involves studying the processes and interactions(cycles) among the 5 spheres: the atmosphere, geosphere(lithosphere), hydrosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere.  ESS involves studying these spheres from a global to a local point-of-view and over timescales(eons to minutes).

Science Journals...
Bev told us about this website last weekend (thanks Bev!).  I signed up and now have class sets of journals with articles coming, all for FREE.  They have a new Hawaii journal with articles for the kids too.  Check it out, I love free stuff!
P
http://www.scienceinvestigator.org/

Hi All!  I am looking at a lot of websites that examine what ESS is and I liked this one:
ESS in a Nutshell
You've probably seen it already, but it helped me to begin to formulate a definition for ESS.
Hope all is well!
Paula

Blogger App for iDevices!

Hi all.  Test post here from my iPhone using the free blogger app.  Here's our new bunny Honey Bunny.

Earth Systems Education Resources

Digital Library Earth Systems
http://www.dlese.org/library/index.jsp

The DLESE Earth Science Literacy Maps interface was created by Digital Learning Sciences and NCAR Library using the NSDL Strand Map Service(SMS). The NSDL Strand Map Service (SMS) was produced by researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Digital Learning Sciences under NSF grants 0734889, 0226286 and is based on the strand mapsdeveloped by Project 2061 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science and published in the Atlas of Science Literacy, Volumes 1 and 2 (2001 and 2007, AAAS Project 2061 and the National Science Teachers Association).http://www.dlese.org/library/index.jsp

Backwards Design

We have a lot of wonderful resources to digest.  Mahalo to Bishop Museum, NASA, and my new colleagues and friends for a wonderful two days!!!

Another resource that reinforces and aligns well with some of our discussions/resources thus far is the concept of Backwards Design presented in Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding By Design book and materials.

For a wiki perspective on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understanding_by_Design

I imagine all are familiar with this guide for curriculum development and instructional design.  It seems we are on the right path!

Bird Songs of Hawai'i

Wonderful resource!

http://soundshawaiian.com/

600 Year Old Sash

Earth System Science (ESS) Binder Notes We Shared Before

Katie had shared the cool tool Live Binders, and this was my first attempt at compiling some interesting things on

Earth System Science

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=812895

Thanks creating this Diana!

Hokule'a

Fwd: PVS - News Conference - 5/29/2013 at 11:00 AM - LAUNCH OF HŌKŪLE'A & HIKIANALIA

Media Advisory
Date:                     May  27, 2013
Contact:               Kim Ku'ulei Birnie
(808)842-1101 or (808)383-1651


LAUNCH OF HŌKŪLE'A & HIKIANALIA

Worldwide Voyage News Conference
May 29, 2013, Wednesday, 11:00 AM *
Marine Education & Training Center, 10 Sand Island Parkway


(Mokauea, O'ahu, Hawai'i).  The Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle'a and sister vessel Hikianalia will travel together for the first time on the next leg of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's (PVS's) Worldwide Voyage.  Members of the media are invited to the dock on May 29* to meet crewmembers and voyage leadership, apprentices, educators, scientists, cultural leaders and others involved with the Worldwide Voyage.  Attending members of the media may tour the wa'a.  Following the conference, and weather permitting, both vessels will depart.
Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) will provide an overview of the Worldwide Voyage (WWV), sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, to all attending members of the media.  Topics will include:
•         Sail Plan - 4 years, more than 20 countries, more than 60 ports of call
•         Nā Wa'a, Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia - preparation and readiness
•         Crew - criteria, training, crew selection process
•         Education - WWV curricula and some of the educators who will be using it
•         Science - a sample of studies being implemented throughout the voyage
•         Communications - Storytelling and the technology being used to share the stories
Governor Neil Abercrombie is expected to send off the canoes Wednesday morning. Additional remarks will be made by our education partners Dr. MRC Greenwood, president of the University of Hawai'i, and Kathryn Matayoshi, superintendent of Education.  Pwo navigators Nainoa Thompson and Bruce Blankenfeld will be available for interviews, as will several captains, navigators-in-training, seasoned and apprentice crew members.
The event schedule for the Polynesian Voyaging Society over the next few weeks:

May 29 *                             Launch of Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia*, METC (all conditions permitting)

June 6-7                               Koa tree plantings, Hawai'i Island (limited space)

June 7                                   Presentations by Nainoa Thompson and author Sam Low, 'Imiloa, Hilo

June 8                                   Ho'okipa Reception, 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo (by invitation)

June 9                                   Hilo Ho'olaule'a - Community Launch celebration, Palekai, Keaukaha, Hilo

June 10-14                          Community outreach, Hilo

June 14 *                             Depart Hilo - begin the Mālama Hawai'i leg of Worldwide Voyage*

* Committed are we to the safety of our crews and vessels, please note that all sail dates are weather/safety dependent.  Should either launch be delayed, an update will be issued by 6 each evening prior until the date is confirmed.
The sail plan with additional ports and dates (also subject to weather conditions and permitting for ports) will be distributed at this news conference.
Please join us for a broad overview, and all the latest updates to the monumental Worldwide Voyage.
RSVP to (808) 842-1101.  Help us be sure to have a Media Kit prepared for you.
#     hokulea.org<http://hokulea.org/>     #




Kim Ku'ulei Birnie
808-383-1651
kkb@aloha.net</mc/compose?to=kkb@aloha.net>

Aloha Gang!

Just stopping by to say I LOVE the blog!  Thanks for setting it up!  Looking forward to sharing ideas and resources:-)

Defining Earth System Science

I think this is a necessary step for us before creating our vision.  Maybe we can start referring to it as ESS as we discuss it.  Much easier to type. :-)

For a starting place

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_System_Science

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_System_Science

NGSS Link - Science Standards