Every Rock Has a Story

Every Rock Has a Story is a lively online video series about rocks and minerals from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Developed by Ethan Baxter, a professor of Earth and environmental sciences at Boston College, this series for K–5 students initially was produced to provide educational content for students, teachers, and families in home learning situations during the height of the pandemic, but it has since grown to include diverse co-hosts in labs and field sites nationwide and worldwide. Each approximately 15-minute episode explores a unique rock story, with the most recent theme being “Life’s Relationship With the Earth.” Visit the About section on the You Tube Channel page to access additional educational resources, including a searchable episode list and science journal templates. In addition, teachers can also find playlists organized by popular topics, such as Women in Science, Diversity in Science, Dinosaurs, Volcanos, and Climate.

Lesson Plan Booster: Building the Starship Enterprise

Published in the online journal for educational content EducationWorld.com, this activity introduces students to the wonder of space travel from the history and origins of spaceflight to the future of modern space travel. Targeted for grades 7–12, the lesson uses the popular science fiction movie and television series Star Trek—and the premise of whether building a real-life Starship Enterprise is a reality—as the hook to engage students. The lesson plan features three parts: an investigation of the Foundations of Space Travel, the creation of a timeline of Space Flights Past and Future, and an exploration of Star Trek Technology in the Real World. After completing all three parts, the lesson concludes with a class discussion debating whether it is feasible to build a Starship Enterprise in real life. Background information for teachers and links to related resources with additional information are included.

Data Streams: A Crash Course in Data Literacy Using Stream Ecology 

Increase students’ data literacy skills by practicing the "PPSTT" Framework for unlocking any graph's secrets. PPSTT stands for Patterns, Prompts Strange, Takeaway, and Trust. Students watch scientists model this approach, then try it on their own using multiple data types, including the frequency of certain words in books, streamflow rates, and maps. Two videos accompany this lesson:
PPSTT…the secret to reading graphs like a scientist—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDRqwsPNdMQ&list=PLz-D3xOC0d8-DuirspzJKahG0foLFWybn&index=3
How to Read Graphs Like a Scientist—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdNZ_lqLRHs&list=PLz-D3xOC0d8-DuirspzJKahG0foLFWybn&index=2

Learning in the Garden Virtual Workshop

During this free hour-long workshop on April 15, three garden educators and practitioners will highlight how easily STEM and other subjects can be taught through gardening. They will present useful tools, resources, and ideas for how to share learning through gardening with students. All registrants will be entered into a drawing to win prizes and will receive a link to the recording. All attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance.

Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program

These awards are given to help fund teachers’ innovative class projects. Each of the 50 finalists will receive a $2,000 award. Of the 50 finalists, three will be selected for additional financial awards. First place will receive a $25,000 bonus; second place will receive a $10,000 bonus; and the third-place winner will receive a $5,000 bonus. (Deadline April 18) 

Applicants must be
•    employed by an accredited K–12 public or private school located in the United States, and
•    full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff with effective and innovative projects that improve student learning.

American Chemical Society (ACS)-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant

The grants support ideas that enhance classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry. Teachers can request up to $1,800 for their ideas. Grants support the following.
• Laboratory Equipment and Supplies 
• Instructional Materials 
• Professional Development 
• Student-Conducted Field Studies
Applicants must be high school chemistry educators teaching in a U.S. or U.S. territory school. (Deadline June 1)

American Chemical Society (ACS)-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to recent graduates and graduate students with limited work experience and an interest in becoming secondary chemistry teachers. The scholarship includes stipends (up to $6,000 for full-time study or up to $3,000 for part-time study) toward the completion of a master’s degree in education or secondary chemistry/science certification, along with support and mentoring throughout a three-year teaching commitment. (Deadline May 1)

ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to professionals in the chemistry field pursuing new careers as high school chemistry teachers. The scholarship includes stipends (up to $6,000 for full-time study or up to $3,000 for part-time study) toward the completion of a master’s degree in education or secondary chemistry/science certification and support and mentoring throughout a three-year teaching commitment. (Deadline May 1)