Secondary Science Department
Email: jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2577
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0466
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools/
Articles That Might Interest You
Ditch that Textbook:
-How ChatGPT Can Actually Be a Force for Good Rather than a Boon for Cheaters: https://districtadministration.com/chatgpt-impact-schools-teaching-cheating-writing/
-Why District's Initial Learning Recovery Efforts Missed the Mark: https://tinyurl.com/hyumkzjz
-2022's 10 Biggest Education Stories, in Photos: https://tinyurl.com/474nnx2k
-Making Time in the School Day for Academic Recovery; Ideas from 3 Principals: https://tinyurl.com/3fxpcurn
-The 8 Most Consequential Developments in Education Law in 2022: https://tinyurl.com/yc7c2wf9
-Here's How Many Hours a Week Teachers Work: https://tinyurl.com/2jy2xubp
-How These Teachers Center Student Voice in Science Class: https://tinyurl.com/yc7rsj6a
-Gratitude Practices at School that Work (and Why Some Don't): https://tinyurl.com/fswjkj5m
-Some Colleges Are Going Test Optional. What Does that Mean: https://tinyurl.com/5d9u8esa
Need Micorscope / Balance Repairs?
From Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Just one teaspoon of salt contains enough chloride to pollute five gallons of water. The chloride from salt is virtually impossible to remove from a waterbody once it is there. This means that our waterways are becoming saltier over time. This is a problem because many aquatic species are very sensitive to salt concentrations (aka salinity) and may not survive in saltier conditions. It's important that we take steps to reduce our salt usage in order to reduce the salt runoff at home that enters our waterways.
Besides home, the State of Ohio Department of Transportation has increased the use of salt brine before a storm in place of traditional road salt. Salt brine is a diluted liquid form of road salt that works faster, saves money, and stays in place compared to road salt.
Practice These Salt Smart Tips:
First, remove the snow before applying salt:
· Shovel, Scrape, Repeat. Clear the snow and scrape or chisel away at the ice. Avoid ice buildup by shoveling early and often. Redirect downspouts away from hard surfaces.
· Don't Let the Snow Get Compacted. Don’t wait until the storm is over: Try to shovel once or twice before the snow piles up and becomes compacted. Compacted snow is heavy, slippery and hard to separate from the pavement.
· Choose the Right Tool. There are many kinds of snow and ice, so don’t limit yourself to just one tool for removing them. Your local hardware store likely carries a variety of push shovels, scoop shovels, ice chisels and ice scrapers. If you need to use salt or other deicer, keep the follow tips in mind.
When and how to use salt:
· When to Use Salt. If you must apply salt or deicer, do it after the storm is finished. Clear off any loose and/or compacted snow first. Apply the product on ice only; do not apply it on dry pavement.
· Use the Right Salt for the Right Temperatures. Temperatures often drop after a snowstorm, so double-check the label on your salt or deicer product to make sure it will work before you apply it. Road salt (NaCl) doesn’t work below 15°F. If it’s a warm day and the sidewalk is wet, don’t use any deicers! The sun is already doing the job for you, and throwing salt onto the ice isn’t going to hurry the process; it’s just going to send deicer down the storm drains.
· A Little Goes a Long Way. More salt does not equal faster melting — just more pollution and wasted money. Shoot for a 3-inch spread between salt granules. For $10–$20, a hand spreader can make the job easier and more accurate. To be more exact, try to apply no more than 1 pound per 250 square feet of pavement. (Tip: A regular-size coffee mug typically holds about 1 pound of salt.)
· Too Cold for Salt? Use Sand. Sprinkle just enough sand to provide traction on walkways when it's really, really cold - too cold for regular road salt to work. Sweep up any excess after the ice melts and dispose of in the trash or reuse so that it doesn’t get carried into storm drains. Remember, sand pollutes too. Don't bother mixing sand and salt together. Sand is useless in wet, melting snow and slush. Save the sand for when it's really, really cold.
Resources You Might Find Useful
-100+ Ways to Give Student Feedback: https://ditchthattextbook.com/feedback-100-students/
-10+ AI Tools for Teachers: https://u3075.birdsend.net/c/_bd5c26e4b697b887a7b1b4d0f7/16178287/210699/7604f710a6621d579abb6af5300d6744/?ms=44
-20 Hidden Google Tricks and Tools: https://ditchthattextbook.com/googles-buried-treasure-18-hidden-tricks-and-tools
-20 Brilliant Teacher Hacks for the Classroom: https://ditchthattextbook.com/teacher-hacks
-10 Ways to Use Jamboard in Class Tomorrow: https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10-ways-to-use-Jamboard-in-class-tomorrow-ebook.pdf
-If you want to help students lock learning in for the long-term (who doesn’t???) this one’s for you. Two Things Template
-10 Ways to Improve Students' Long-Term Learning: https://ditchthattextbook.com/longterm
-TAG Feedback Template: https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tag-feedback-template
-Free Videos to Use: https://teachflix.org/
-Missed the Summit? Here are the 94 recorded sessions: http://ditchsummit.com/all-ditch-summit-videos/
-Attention Switch: Student Engagement Pack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVrmVl99AdxfCsQvO5dyI0rVAzvno3Gv/view
Population Education:
-The World of 8 Billion student video contest is open to all 6-12th graders worldwide until February 22. Introduce the contest to students with this free printable lesson plan and encourage them to think creatively about real-world challenges. Download the Lesson Plan
-Top 10 Most Popular PopEd Resources: From lessons in early childhood education to high school AP courses, from topics in human ecology to environmental science, this blog post lays out the 10 lesson plans, readings, and graphics that teachers loved the most in 2022. All 10 are free to download! Discover the Resources
-Student Activism Toolkit: It's not always easy to teach hope in tandem with global challenges, but it's important that we do. To help teachers out, we've created an Activism Toolkit for students in grades 6-12 around the world. The Toolkit educates teens on topics ranging from climate change to poverty to gender equality, then provides advocacy resources for taking action by tabling, volunteering, influencing lawmakers, and more. Challenge your students to take the first step in becoming changemakers today! Access Free Toolkit
Black History Month
African American Pioneers of Science: Scientists, engineers, and inventors find the solutions to the world's problems. Learn about the work that these Black scientists and inventors have accomplished that make our lives better. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/black-inventors-and-pioneers-of-science
16 Black History Month STEM Activities: https://www.idtech.com/blog/black-history-month-stem-activities
10 Science Icons in Celebration of Black History Month: https://www.discovery.com/science/science-icons-to-celebrate-for-black-history-month
How Schools Can Celebrate Black History Month and Why It Matters Article: https://www.signupgenius.com/blog/expert-advice-black-history-month-schools.cfm?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Participant
8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier:
https://www.history.com/news/8-black-inventors-african-american
Opportunities for Students and Teachers
SSCI Conservation Scholarship:
Below you will find information on a scholarship opportunity for “Students entering college, technical school, or graduate programs in the area of wildlife conservation, outdoor education, game, and land management, and the life/animal sciences.” Awards up to $5,000 per applicant per year will be considered.
--Write About Your Classroom Experiences for NSTA Journals
The National Science Teaching Association has issued a call for papers for their professional journals; Science & Children, Science Scope and The Science Teacher.
Take this opportunity to share with your colleagues across not only Ohio but all of North America. Describe a set of connected lessons or investigations that build an idea or science concept. Lessons should include assessments (pre-, post- and formative) as well as enough detail that another teacher could replicate the lessons in their classroom. Examples of student work are encouraged.
For details on manuscript guidelines and upcoming themes, visit The Science Teacher
-Volunteer opportunities are available to NSTA members who would like to lend their skills, talents and passion for science learning to one of NSTA's standing committees, advisory boards, or panels. Applications are accepted through February 28, 2023. Apply Today
-March 9, 2023 | Virtual Network • Online
Learn, Share, Collaborate: Ohio Grade Band Meetings
-February 12–14, 2023 | Conference • Marriott East-Indianapolis
-March 3–4, 2023 | Education Development • Lansing Center and Radisson Lansing Hotel, Michigan
Environment Teachers: National Geographic Slingshot Challenge:
Amplify your student’s voice and make a difference for the planet. Encourage your students to join the Slingshot Challenge today! With their ideas, we can create a better world for everyone.
Through the Slingshot Challenge, your students are helping National Geographic aim for a better tomorrow. By empowering young changemakers to come up with practical solutions to the issues facing our planet, we can educate and inspire a new generation of earth defenders.
Participating in the challenge is simple. Encourage your students to:
Sign up for the Slingshot Challenge to receive resources and next steps
Submit a one-minute video outlining an innovative solution to a current environmental issue that they’re passionate about by February 24, 2023
Winning videos will be selected by a panel of judges to receive cash prizes—up to $10,000—as well as an invitation to the iconic National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C.
Are your students ready to accept the challenge?
Ohio Ed:
-2022-2023 Meetups Launched to Focus on Support for New Science Educators
The first convening of the 2022-2023 Science Meetups commenced on October 18, 2022. This series is designed to provide resources for new educators of science and their supporters as they implement the Ohio Learning Standards for Science.
Meetups occur on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. except for December, which will occur on December 13, 2022.
Meetup topics are listed below. Registration is still available for remaining sessions
February 21, 2023 - Assessing for Understanding
March 21, 2023 - What about NGSS?
April 18, 2023 - Looking Ahead – Planning for Next Year
5th Annual Student Wildlife Research Symposium will be held at Deer Creek State Park Lodge on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Call for Proposals is now available. Deadline to submit is February 1, 2023 .
-Any middle or high school aged student can present a poster on research related to native Ohio wildlife and their habitats. Paper presentations are selected by a panel to fill a limited number of presentation slots. Paper presentations must be completed research. Posters can be either completed or ongoing research.
Questions can be directed to Jen Dennison at 614 265 6316 or jen.dennison@dnr.ohio.gov
Empowering Education Free SEL Webinars:
-Trauma-Informed Teaching: Part I
With almost half the nation’s children experiencing one or more serious traumas before the age of 18, it is more important than ever that schools use trauma-informed practices. This introductory training will introduce concepts and definitions of trauma-informed teaching.
-Trauma-Informed Teaching: Part II
Part II of the Trauma-Informed Teaching Training builds on the definition of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Together, we will take a deep dive into the needs of students who have experienced trauma and offer specific trauma-informed teaching interventions.
February 16, 2023,
6-7:30 PM ET
-Restorative Practices
This training defines the theory of Restorative Practice and gives you practical tools to use in the classroom. We’ll cover community-building and relationship-strengthening techniques that help teachers productively respond to conflict.
April 18, 2023,
6-7:30 PM ET
-How Can My School Pay For SEL?
If you don’t know where to turn for SEL best practices, curriculum, resources, and funding, we're here to help. Come to our special workshop for tips on how to get funds for your SEL program.
May 9, 2023,
6-7:30 PM ET
See embedded link below for information and to register:
Spruce Run Nature Center
Once a Month Open Houses: Come with your Family and Join the Fun! (10:00-2:00)
- February 4, 2023 (Theme: Friendship Month)
* The Ohio Wildlife Center will be at Spruce Run from 11am-1pm. There will be a table with educational materials and animal artifacts as well as 1-2 of the animals they have rehabilitated.
* Have you filled someone’s bucket read-aloud and activity.
* Craft - make animals out of hearts
- March 4, 2023
- April 22, 2023 (Theme: Earth Day)
- May 6, 2023
Office of Teaching and Learning
Brian Morton, Director of Secondary Curriculum
Sonja Dill, Secondary Curriculum Supervisor
Laura Schnebelen, K-5 Coordinator, lschnebe@columbus.k12.oh.us
Jennifer Nord, 6-12 Science Coordinator, jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Heather Allen, K-12 Spruce Run Coordinator, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us
