SD Unified Science
June 2024
Unified Science sparks curiosity and creativity, empowering the next generation to enact change in our local and global communities.
- Science: bit.ly/sdusdscience
- STEAM: bit.ly/sdusdsteam
Please share photos and other exciting news from your class with us! We would love to feature it!
Highlighted Resources
PASCO Smart Cart Update!
PASCO recently released a firmware update for the Smart Cart that includes improved battery performance! To get this update, you will need to connect your Smart Cart to the latest version of either Capstone or SPARKvue software.
What PASCO Software Supports the Update?
PASCO Capstone and SPARKvue updates provide the latest firmware version for your cart.
If you are using our MatchGraph! software, please use the PWA version of SPARKvue (linked below).
Our software will always check for available updates. If your lab computers are not connected to the internet or you have disabled updates for your software, please check the following sites to access the latest versions.Capstone Version 2.7 | SPARKvue Version 4.10 | SPARKvue PWA Version 4.10
How to Update Your Smart Cart:
1. Update to the latest software
2. Connect your Smart Cart to your device(connect via USB for a faster update!)
3. Repeat for each Smart Cart
Please do not hesitate to contact PASCO Tech Support at support@pasco.com or through chat on the PASCO website. To enable chat, please allow all cookies on our site through your browser.
EcoLogik Institute - Opportunites
FREE STEAM workshops and after school programs! EcoLogik Institute combines nature and technology to help youth explore the world around them.
- Hands-on workshops are inspired by real scientists in the National Park System! We offer both in-person and virtual workshops on a variety of topics from Radio Telemetry to 3D printing.
- Are you an educator looking for awesome STEAM programs for your classroom/club? We'd love to partner with you! Our after school programs emphasize real science role models and inspire youth to follow their passions.
Check out our website here: The EcoLogik Institute for more information! We hope to see you soon!
Professional Learning Opportunities
Computer Science Summer Professional Learning Programs!
Code.org San Diego & UCSD Create are offering Computer Science Summer Professional Learning Programs! These programs are highly supportive to prepare both experienced and novice educators with high-quality computer science instruction. The Summer of CS program includes:
ยง A five-day summer workshop, which will fully prepare educators to utilize Code.org curricula (CS Discoveries and CS Principles) and teacher support systems.
ยง Four one-day academic year workshops during the school year when teachers will reconvene for ongoing training and just-in-time support.
ยง Additional opportunities for online and face-to-face networking and collaboration with peers throughout the year.
Full scholarships and stipends are available for teachers in schools with high underserved student populations, thanks to generous support from Code.org!
Learn more about Code.org's San Diego Professional Learning training here.
2024 SDNI Nanotechnology Summer Institute for Middle and High School Teachers
Middle and High School Teachers will learn how nanotechnology content can integrate with their current California NGSS science curricula. During the program, teachers will acquire knowledge that will enable them to prepare a lesson plan that integrates nanotechnology with their current science program. Teachers will then implement the lesson plan during the school year 2024-2025.
Teachers receive a $800 stipend and $200 nanotechnology material kit.Professional Development Credits: 30 hours of Professional Development Units can be reported to school districts.
Application to the SDNI Nanotechnology Summer Institute is now open through May 31, 2024. To apply, please email Yves Theriault at ytheriault@ucsd.edu and provide the following information: Full name, Name of School where teaching, Grade level(s), Science or Math Topic(s) taught, indicate your choice of one the following week for the 5-day training: June 24-28 or July 15-19
Nature Journaling
Learn nature journaling skills and activities that you can use with your students, all while exploring the biodiversity of San Diego with like-minded educators. Nature Journaling improves our observation skills and piques our curiosity, leading us to ask questions about and have stronger connections to nature. It also helps calm our nervous system, and inspires creativity and independent thinking.
Sessions will be held every second Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. at various outdoor locations in San Diego
- 06/08/24- Kumeyaay Lake, Mission Trails Regional Park
Have questions? Email Info@sdchildrenandnature.org or register here for Nature Journaling Club.
Student Opportunities
Attention MS Teachers: Amplify Resources!
- Welcome to Amplify Science page - introduction and getting started resources
- Most recent Amplify Newsletter
- Caregiver Hub
- Instructional Leaders Community of Practice
- Amplify Student workbooks are available in limited amount. If you are out of student workbooks we have a limited supply of workbooks to assist with restocking! Available through Destiny. Please reach out to your site Destiny contact (usually the librarian)
We want to hear from you!
We want to hear your recommendations and share them with other science teachers!
If you have a favorite curriculum, reading, activity, or PLC plan that you want to recommend to other teachers we want to capture a short (1-3 minutes) video of you describing it and share it with other unified science teachers!
Email tlerner@sandi.net and one of us will come to visit you and record a short clip !
Science Joke! ๐
How can you tell that the ocean is friendly?
It waves!