ATASC Newsletter

We are excited to present our new Science Council logo, a dynamic and abstract design that reflects the beauty of Alberta’s landscapes and the essence of scientific exploration. Each part of the logo has a special meaning:

• The Orbits: Highlighting the connections and relationships fundamental to science.
• The Waves: Representing the energy found in our natural landscapes and scientific fields.
• The Flowing Lines: Illustrating the endless cycle of matter in science, from biology to chemistry.
• The Eye: Focusing on the importance of observation and vision in advancing scientific knowledge.

Our logo connects with various scientific disciplines, from chemistry, physics, biology, geology, space, and indigenous perspectives. Stay tuned as you'll slowly begin seeing our logo be unveiled on our website, social media, and more!

​Our 2024 ATA Science Council Conference is coming November 8-9, 2024 at the Coast Canmore Hotel in Canmore, AB! The theme this year is "Two Eyed Seeing: Looking at Science Through both a Western and Indigenous Perspective." Registration will open in June.

We are also looking for presenters! Check out our website for more information.

In honour of our new logo and first online newsletter publication, your ATASC Member Engagement Team is excited to invite our Members to participate in a Newsletter Scavenger Hunt.

Scroll through the newsletter, read some articles and then fill in this short form to be entered to win an INUK backpack with our new logo sewn into the front pocket.

Alan Turing was a brilliant English mathematician, computer scientist, logician, and cryptanalyst. During World War II, he played a pivotal role at Bletchley Park, leading Hut 8, which cracked German codes, aiding Allied victories. His work with Ultra intelligence likely shortened the war by over two years and saved approximately 14 million lives. Post-war, he contributed to computer science, designing the Automatic Computing Engine and working on Manchester computers. Despite his contributions, Turing faced persecution for his homosexuality, enduring chemical castration and tragically dying from cyanide poisoning in 1954, deemed a suicide but possibly accidental. In 2009, the British government apologized for his treatment, and he was posthumously pardoned in 2013, with a law named after him.

Turing's legacy is vast; he's considered the father of computer science, honored for his profound impact on technology and society. Tributes include a plaque honoring him as the "Father of computer science, mathematician, logician, wartime codebreaker, victim of prejudice." Adjacent to the statue is a quote by Bertrand Russell, emphasizing the beauty and truth in mathematics. Additionally, the sculptor buried his old Amstrad computer beneath the plinth, symbolizing Turing's influence as the "godfather of all modern computers." In 1999, Time magazine recognized Turing as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th century, highlighting his profound impact on computing. The magazine noted that every keystroke on a modern computer is a testament to Turing's revolutionary concept of the Turing machine.

Kim Andrews is a grade 2 teacher at Eleanor Hall School, a rural K-9 school in Clyde, Alberta. This year, like other K-3 educators across the province, Kim implemented a new science curriculum. These teachers have had to rely on a variety of resources and own background knowledge to make the curriculum is engaging and authentic for the students. Kim has done a great job of that by being very open to new ideas and feedback. As well, she connected with the junior high science teacher in her school to exchange ideas. It can be pretty easy to think of the new curriculum as a checklist of outcomes to be accomplished, but that could lead to very dry, unengaging notes, and rote memorization.

At one point, Kim was worried some of the outcomes from the Earth Systems organizing idea could turn out that way. The Grade 2 Science Learning Outcome she tackled was “Students investigate Earth, its landforms, its bodies of water, and its relationship to the Sun,” and the Knowledge, Understanding, Skills & Procedures she addressed required students to identify and discuss 3 landforms in Alberta that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kim used her understanding of grade 2 pedagogy and creative teaching skills to bring outcomes from ELA, Fine Arts and Science into an engaging and hands-on project all of the students enjoyed. The students were taught research skills using child friendly resources vetted by Kim. They had to design questions and investigate answers that could help them create a model of their chosen UNESCO World Heritage Site using clay, natural materials from a recent nature walk, cardboard or other recyclables, and paint or markers. Students shared their projects with each other, explaining what they learned about their site. They were also able to take their projects home and share their learning with their families (see pictures below).

When beginning your journey as an IFX pre-service teacher, stepping into a classroom for the first-time can be exciting and intimidating. Years of what you have studied and prepared for have come to a culmination. Although, despite what we have been taught, it is unparalleled to what you will learn within the classroom, so here is some advice on how to help you achieve success that I encompassed during my experience....

Click on the following to learn more about any of these!

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! Your support means the world to us.

Your support and engagement mean a lot to us. We put a lot of effort into creating content that we believe is informative, relevant, and enjoyable, and knowing that it resonates with you is truly rewarding.

Fill out this Google Form to be entered into a draw for an ATASC Prize Pack to be drawn on August 16, 2024. The Winner will be notified via email by the end of August 2024.

Have an educator you want to feature? Or do you want to share your favorite stories, ideas, lesson plans, or activities with us?

Share your ideas through this Google Form for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter and win exciting prizes. Draws will occur 3 times a year, and winners will be contacted through email and announced on social media.