2010-2011 Newsletter

If you have any questions pertaining to any of the following Science Pioneers programs, please call 816.460.2261 or email us at admin@sciencepioneers.org. If you would like to receive weekly email reminders about up coming events, please email us your contact information and we will place you on the list.

2010-11 Teacher Programs

ScienceWise Kickoff
September 21, 2010
4:30pm to 7:30pm
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Come spend an evening experiencing the joys, thrills, and sense of wonder in science and science teaching with an exciting national presenter. Known as "Techno Sage" by his colleagues, Sage Arnote taught middle school science for 8 yars and has been an Instructional Technology Director for the Independence School District for the last 2 years. As an adjunct professor for UMKC, Sage worked with other instructors to create a new class "Developing Technology Enriched Lesson Plans." The program focuses on combining quality resources with creative pedagogical strategies for technology integration. The registration fee is $20 and includes dinner. Click here to register online for the kickoff.  Payment is required for registration. The Kickoff is open to the first 200 teachers/ attendees who register. Please register today! Registration is due by September 09, 2010. Click here for a pdf of the registration form that you can mail in.

ScienceWise Short Courses
October 2010 to March 2011
UMKC Training Room NW 4th Floor Union Station- Unless otherwise noted. 

ScienceWise courses are back with new exciting topics- two of whicih are new exciting onine courses! Either in four-hour courses and twelve-hour courses. Graduate credit is $50/ hour from UMKC, Baker University or Park University. Teachers are responsible for graduate credit payment at the first class attended. Registration is required for all the courses. Cost payable to Science Pioneers for each four-hour course is $15 and each twelve-hour course is $45. Payment must be received with registration form.  Click here for complete list, schedule of the short courses, and a syllabus Missouri and Kansas standards addressed by each course.

Science Fair Kickoff
October 9, 2010
8:30-11:30 am
UMKC Training Room NW 4th Floor Union Station

Considering or planning to have your students do science fair projects? Teachers, both novice and experienced with the fair, are encouraged to attend. Teachers will learn how to organize a science fair, generate ideas for projects and use activities to motivate students. Rules of the Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair will be covered.  The registration fee is $15 and includes breakfast. Click here for a registration form. Registration is due by October 1, 2010.

Teacher Resources Day
February 12, 2011
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
UMKC Campus Pierson Auditorium at the University Center

ScienceWise Teacher Resource Day includes a Teacher Share-A-Thon and a Science Resources Expo. Master teachers will be on hand to share new exciting lessons. Kansas City Metro area science education organizations will be present to share the wonderful opportunities they have for teachers and students throughout the metro area. All attendees will receive a helpful resource CD to take back to the classroom. To guarantee materials, pre-registration is requested by February 4, 2011. This event is FREE. Click Here for registration from.

If you have a lesson you would like to present as a Master Teacher, please contact Betty Paulsell at Science Pioneers at 816.460.2262 or email bpaulsell@sciencepioneers.org.

Teacher Awards 2010-2011

Science Pioneers is proud to announce that we have three teacher awards available during the 2010-2011 school year. Nomination and application forms will be available October 1, 2010.

The Howard Gadberry Award in the amount of $500 is designed to recognize teachers in grades 4-12 who show outstanding effort toward motivation of students in the area of scientific exploration.

The Sister Martina Rockers Excellence in Teaching Award (SMETA) in the amount of $1000 sponsored by Ken-A-Vision is designed to recognize teachers in grades 9-12 with at least 20 years teaching experience.

The Teaching Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) sponsored by Kansas City Environmental Education Network (KCEEN) in the amount of $500 is designed to recognize 4-12 teachers with outstanding efforts in environmental education.

2010-11 Student Programs

Saturday Science Seminars
Saturdays, October 2009 to March 2010
9:00am-10:00am
Thank you to our continuing sponsor, The R.A. Long Foundation.

Each seminar, geared for students in grades 8-12, teachers and parents, is held on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Union Station Extreme Screen. Presentations feature topics for people seeking to enrich and extend their science knowledge. The local presenters will also be available for a question & answer session after each seminar. For a full listing of dates, titles of presentations and speakers, click here. No registration is required.

Meet the Science Mentor Day
November 13, 2010
UMKC campus Pierson Hall at the University Center
8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Meet the Science Mentor Day allows students the opportunity to meet area scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians to discuss science research projects. This annual event highlights science methods and helps students develop ideas for quality science fair project ideas. The students visit with the science mentors one-on-one, which can provide the opportunity to create an on-going relationship throughout the school year. Student projects from the 2010 Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair will be on display. Also, workplace investigations are on display as models of scientific inquiry. Scientist, engineers and other professionals help students learn about the scientific method and the connection between science and everyday life.  To guarantee your event materials, pre-registration is requested by November 3, 2010 at admin@sciencepioneers.org. Click here for registration form.

Science Pioneers maintains a mentor directory which contains contact information of professional scientists and engineers who are willing to help students with science fair projects or make classroom visits. It is available to teachers and home school parents as a resource for locating mentors for their students. Please contact us at 816.460.2261 or admin@sciencepioneers.org for your copy.

Expanding Your Horizon (EYH)
January 21, 2011
6:00pm-10:30pm
Science City at Union Station 

EYH immerses young women in the sixth to eighth grades in hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Professional women from science and math-related fields facilitate workshops and serve as role models. The conference features a woman keynote speaker. EYH presents science in a way that is exciting, educational and relevant to daily life while fostering career opportunity awareness. Science Pioneers in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri conduct this event. Pre-registration is required no later than January 17, 2011. Cost per girl is $5.00. Registration is limited to the first 400 young women who register. Registration available in November 2010. There is no cost for adult volunteers.

Expanding Your Horizons Expansion Program
3 Saturdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
February 19, March 5, March 19
Application is required.

The EYH Expansion Program gives the young women who attend the 2010 EYH conference an extended opportunity to explore the science, math, engineering, and technology careers in hands-on workshops. The young women will attend all three Saturday sessions. All young women will receive an application on January 21st at the EYH conference. Email questions to soriley@sciencepioneers.org  

The Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair at Union Station
March 23-26, 2011
Applications due February 18, 2011 by 5:00pm.

This year marks the 60th year of the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. With over 1,200 students entering each year, it is the area's largest science-related student event. This year's science fair will be held March 23-26, 2011 at Union Station. ALL science fair projects are to be picked up Friday, March 25, 2011 from 4-7pm. The Charles N. Kimball Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 10am to 12pm, place Hyatt Hotel, Crown Center Exhibit Hall. The deadline for ALL applications is February 18, 2011 no later than 5:00 pm in Science Pioneers offices at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing, Ste. 410, Kansas City, MO 64108. Please click here for a schedule of events and new changes for this year's fair.

All of our programs are also listed on our website, with materials pertaining to the events. If you have any questions regarding any one of our events, please email admin@sciencepioneers.org or call us at 816.460.2261.

Teachers and parents, who are on our mailing list will soon receive our 2010-11 Science Pioneers Program Poster to remind you all year long about our upcoming events! If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive the poster and periodic updates and reminders about all of our programs, please email us at admin@sciencepioneers.org with your contact information.

"Please share this with other interested teachers and parents."