Stay Informed with RIDE's STEM Update
The RI Department of Education distributes a STEM Update newsletter twice each month. Each edition includes STEM-related announcements from RIDE, relevant lesson resources, teacher and school opportunities, and items to pass along to students and families. You can sign up via this form and check out the latest edition in the archive, here. If you have any items to share in the STEM Update, please submit them here. Any questions can be directed to carolyn.higgins@ride.ri.gov
RIDE's Science Curriculum Frameworks
The RIDE Science Curriculum Framework provides guidance around the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), particularly as it relates to the design and use of curriculum materials, instruction, and assessment.
This comprehensive resource includes relevant resources to:
The Science Curriculum Frameworks align with RIDE’s overarching commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality curriculum and instruction that prepares students to meet their postsecondary goals.
Access the Science Curriculum Frameworks online or download a PDF version.
Direct inquiries about the Science Curriculum Frameworks to Erin.Escher@ride.ri.gov
Be a Rhode Island Teacher at Sea!
The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) is announcing an opportunity for Rhode Island formal and informal educators to experience ocean science research at sea aboard the research vessel Endeavor. For three days (dates TBD), chosen educators will work alongside GSO scientists using oceanographic research instruments and conducting experiments in the vessel’s wet and dry labs, learning various research techniques for studying the biology, physics, chemistry, and geology of the sea. The Rhode Island Teacher At Sea (RITAS) program, funded by the State of Rhode Island, is open to all Rhode Island educators formal and informal of all disciplines; participants do not need to be science teachers. General information about the RITAS program and an application can be found here.
Diving into the Ocean Twilight Zone- Grant for Middle School and High School Teachers
Take this interest survey to learn more about an opportunity using gamified robotics and mats to teach your students about the amazing creatures and research within the OTZ, one of Earth's last unknown frontiers. Culminating event and field trip to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute included. Complete the interest survey to receive an application for the 2023-2024 and/or 2024-2025 school years.
Safety First!
Flinn Scientific provides many safety resources, including free access to safety guides, lab safety courses, Safety Data Sheets, sample science/STEM lab safety contracts and exams, and many other resources. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) also publish safety resources for educators! Be sure to share these resources with your team to ensure that your school community has safe lab experiences this year.
American Museum of Natural History Resources
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has engaging resources for K–12 educators, families, and students interested in learning about science. This collection includes lesson plans, curriculum, hands-on activities, articles, games and interactives, and videos for learners of all ages. In these resources, teachers can access lesson plans for all age levels. Elementary and middle level learners can explore dinosaurs and more through lessons such as What Teeth Tell Us (grades K–4), Relative Speed of Dinosaurs (grades 5–8), and Pixel This! (grades K–8), in which students decode a simple digital image from a string of numbers that represent pixels. High school students can explore the mechanics of a telescope in the lesson Focal Point.
NOAA’s Weather Portal
An important tool developed by the Education Development Center’s WeatherX project is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather portal in CODAP, which gives K–12 educators (and anyone with a web browser) access to large-scale weather data from NOAA. This online portal allows users to select and download hourly, daily, and monthly weather measurements from 1,783 weather stations in the United States, with records dating as far back as the mid-1800s. A blog post from the Concord Consortium, a partner in the WeatherX project, provides instructions for accessing the portal, as well as sample weather questions students can investigate with the data.
NASA RI Space Grant Consortium has Grants available!
The NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium is soliciting applications to fund curriculum development projects at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels throughout Rhode Island. All projects related to the development of NASA-relevant curricula or other educational programs are invited to apply for funding. Projects may include, but are not limited to, development of K-12 STEM lessons and educational materials, professional development programs/workshops for K-12 educators, new undergraduate and graduate courses that integrate content relevant to NASA goals, courses or educational programs that integrate NASA data or teach students how to work with NASA data products, and courses that employ new pedagogical approaches or methodologies to bring NASA-relevant content to a broad audience, to name a few. Projects and courses that focus on increasing access to high quality STEM education in underserved communities/groups, that offer hands-on learning experiences for students, and/or that seek to develop novel digital/online learning experiences for diverse audiences are highly encouraged. Reach out to RI program leaders to discuss options for the cost-match requirement: Ralph_Milliken@brown.edu and Nancy_Ciminelli@brown.edu Click HERE for more information.
NSTA Awards and Grants
The National Science Teachers Association has many awards with a variety of categories. Many include incentives to support educators attending the National Conference or the NationalCongress in the summer. For more information see this page.