Science Matters
A periodic curriculum update: May 2023
March 2024
Solar Eclipse - April 8!
On Monday, April 8, Durham will see approximately 79.57% of the total solar eclipse that is passing through the United States. The partial event will begin in Durham on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 1:58 PM, reach its peak at 3:15 pm, and end at 4:29 PM. (Dismissal should be fun!?) See the documents below to provide information to families, administrators, or to get educational tips. We have also made an eclipse document with suggestions and links to local eclipse events as we learn about them. Remember - do NOT look directly into the sun at any point!!!
Activity: Prepare Your Community for the Eclipse
This activity will help students learn more about eclipses and how to communicate scientific information through the creation of a video about the upcoming total eclipse on April 8, 2024. Students will practice summarizing information from a variety of Science News Media Group articles and will use their writing skills to create an informative script for their video. For those in the solar eclipse’s path, the video will also discuss where to watch the eclipse and how to get involved in community education projects.
Out and About
Carrington 8th Grade Science
B/C Science Olympiad!
Double Rainbow - So Intense
Science for All Summit
Terri Finds an Artifact
RHMS at the Hub Farm
Professional Learning
Other Opportunities
Check this regularly updated google doc for other PD and classroom opportunities that are sent our way. The sections include professional learning opportunities, ongoing opportunities, student/classroom opportunities, and grants! Let Emma know if you have any questions!
Student Opportunities
PBS NC's Empowered Youth Voices: Climate Change Solutions Unconference
PBS North Carolina’s Education Services is proud to announce that registration is now open for our youth-organized and led, Empowered Youth Voices: Climate Change Solutions Unconference!
On April 10th, please join fellow educators, 8th-12th grade youth leaders, climate change and media professionals, and our PBS NC team for a day filled with insightful discussions around human health and climate change solutions. With a focus on solutions-based reporting platforming youth voices on climate change, we hope that this day inspires learners of all ages to engage in thoughtful dialogue as well as learn from others who are passionate about climate reporting.
Educators are asked to register their students, attend as mentors, and actively participate in the insightful discussions. More so, educators are encouraged to apply for a one-time $500 seed grant that would allow them to host an un-conference in their own communities. See more information on this flyer!
Duke Cell Biology Academy (CeBA)
This summer, Duke University’s Department of Cell Biology is hosting a six-week, paid summer research experience for high school juniors and seniors with strong interests in studying biology. Students from under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Participating in this summer program will give students hands-on experience in laboratory research techniques, and they will get to experience life as a cell biologist at Duke University. Under the guidance of an experienced researcher, students will complete their own independent project in cell biology over the summer. Their work will culminate in a scientific poster session, where they will get to present and share their results with other researchers. Students will be awarded $2,400 upon program completion. Find out more information on this flyer!
Durham Creek Week March 16-23
Celebrated annually during the third week of March, Creek Week is a time to discover and clean up our local waterways. Since 2009, we have collected an estimated 210,989 pounds of litter with 4,808 volunteers during Durham Creek Week!
This year, Creek Week will take place from March 16th to March 24th. It's not only one of Durham’s largest litter cleanup initiatives of the year, it's also a week-long celebration of Durham’s creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes.
There are lots of different ways to participate in Creek Week:
Learn something new at a Book Club with NC author Mallory McDuff; add your local body of water to the Wandering Water Map; paddle with friends on Jordan Lake, Falls Lake, or the Eno River; test your water-based knowledge at Trivia Night; play Creek Week Bingo; learn how to fix a leak with Durham Saves Water; and - of course - join a cleanup (there are over a dozen!).
View the full list of educational, recreational, and cleanup events here!
Student Summer Opportunities Portal
Curious about summer opportunities for students? The NC STEM Center is a portal that lists events and opportunities across the state that can be filtered by location. Check it out!
Resources
STEM Teaching Tool: How do we present gender, sex, and sexuality as part of inclusive and accurate science teaching?
Social ideas of gender identity and sexuality overlap with many commonly taught biology topics, including genetics, reproduction, sexual selection, and anatomy and physiology. For example, new standards for 7th Grade Science (LS.7.2) or Biology (LS. Bio.6). Most of us will need to learn more about these topics to address them accurately and inclusively. Educators can help students build more complete views of both science and society by addressing the diversity and fluidity of sex, gender, and sexuality in both human and non-human species. These approaches help support a more full sense of belonging for gender-diverse students in science education and are an important learning focus for all members of society. Find out more at stemteachingtools.org.
New Resources to Teach About Lead in Water!
Educators and environmental scientists at RTI International have developed new curriculum resources to teach students about lead in water. Why teach about lead in water in the classroom? Exposure to lead can have lifelong health impacts, and children are particularly susceptible to these harmful effects, and schools across the state are checking for lead hazards through the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ program. The new K-12 curriculum materials are aligned with NC state standards and are designed to engage students, teachers, parents, and the school community in the lead exposure prevention work. You can sign up here to join the pilot and receive a $50 gift card if you also opt to participate in a follow-up focus group to provide feedback. See full details about the pilot on the curriculum resource page.
Quarter 3 CIBL Resources
Q3 CIBL Kits are due on March 14 for Year Round Schools and March 21 for Traditional Schools.
Shared Resources by Subject
Our Team
Emma Refvem, Ph.D., NBCT
Email: emma_refvem@dpsnc.net
Phone: 919.560.2000 ext. 21113
Website: central.dpsnc.net
Location: Durham Public Schools, NC, USA
Twitter: @refvemma