Events CalendarSeptember 5-6 Full Harvest Moon September 9 Astrovaganza at SBMNH September 16 California Coastal Beach Cleanup Explore Ecology September 20 New Moon September 22 Equinox Science at CharterNGSS ADOPTION You may have heard that the NGSS, Next Generation Science Standards, have been adopted by the State of California. The State's time table for these standards indicates that full implementation should occur during the next school year (2018-2019) and that fifth grade students will take the official test that spring. Last spring fifth grade students took the pilot test and this spring they will take the field test. Students do not receive scores for the pilot or field test. Next school year 2018-2019 fifth grade students will receive scores. Fortunately the teachers at Santa Barbara Charter School have been eagerly working on transitioning to the new standards for several years. Last school year several SBCS staff attended many days of training during several conferences through the BaySci area training run by the Lawrence Hall of Science. They will continue to attend several Bay Sci conferences this year. In addition science professional development was provided during teacher inservice last school year and is continuing this school year as well. In addition, teachers are working on science convergence as their collegial coaching goal this year. HOW DOES NGSS DIFFER FROM PREVIOUS STANDARDS? Rather than focusing on mere memorization and comprehension the NGSS asks students to act as scientists and engineers to ask questions, analyze data, and solve problems. In the past a unit on space systems would have focused on having students memorize the names of the phases of the moon and be able to place the phase of the moon correctly in relation to the sun in a diagram of the earth, moon, and sun. With the NGSS, students would use real world observations and models to investigate the causes of the phases of the moon and what impact these phases have on us. They would be able to recognize that the earth, moon, and sun have predictable patterns and to use that knowledge to plan for future events (such as a high tide or bringing extra light for a moonless Halloween). The National Science Teacher's Association hosts an excellent website including facts, graphics, and videos that can answer your questions about the NGSS. http://ngss.nsta.org/About.aspx The Night Sky This MonthIf you didn't get to see the eclipse last month check out these cool reports and videos here: https://www.dogonews.com/2017/8/22/video-of-the-week-historic-total-solar-eclipse-captivates-millions-across-america What to do with your eclipse glasses? Keep them to observe the sun and look for sunspots. For this and other suggestions read here: https://www.livescience.com/60237-do-solar-eclipse-glasses-expire.html This month begins with asteroid Florence passing by Earth. You won't be able to see it without a telescope but it is fun to think about this massive space rock hurtling by. https://www.dogonews.com/2017/8/28/get-ready-for-a-close-encounter-with-a-massive-asteroid If you are up before dawn in September you will see Orion's Belt pointing to the bright star Sirius. The Full Harvest Moon will rise as the sun sets on September 5th (it is technically at its fullest point at 3 AM on the 6th). For the next few days you can view the waning moon in the morning. Towards the middle of the month you can see the moon near Venus in the pre-dawn sky. The moon will be visible later and later in the morning and appear as a smaller and smaller sliver until it is no longer visible. The new moon takes place September 20. Children may notice that it is getting dark much earlier than it was in the summer. September 22nd is the Equinox - the point at which is night and day are almost equal. It is also the day when the sun rises due east and sets due west. To understand more about the Equinox try this article by earthsky.org: http://earthsky.org/tonight/sun-rises-due-east-and-sets-due-west-on-day-of-equinox Or watch this video of shadows marking a petroglyph on the equinox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYdSlU1KgM8 Try This at Home In honor of Johnny Appleseed's birthday on September 26th make some two ingredient applesauce oobleck. http://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/apple-oobleck-science-experiment-made-apple-sauce/ In The News
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