What's New?                                                                             Summer 2010
 

 

One Big, Happy, Single Location!

Two science resource centres have become one!  All science kit resources are now distributed from the Sarnia Errol Road School location.  The only change for you as a teacher will be if you book by phone.  Otherwise, kits are booked the same way as they've always been.

Place a kit order by e-mailing at sciencecentre@lkdsb.net or calling 519-541-0107

 

 

Lambton Kent Agriculture in the Classroom Opportunityfarm



Kent Harvest Days:  Sept. 28,29, 30, Oct 1, 5, 6, 7
Your Grade 3 class is invited to journey through four different stations highlighting the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives.  Activity centres include: Early Pioneers, A Day in the Dairy, From Soil to Plant and Wagon Ride.  Harvest Days are held at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus starting at 10:15 and 12:30 daily.  Pre and post tour activities will be outlined in classroom teacher materials.  There is no cost to attend, but transportation costs are the responsibility of the school.  To download more information that tells you how to register, please click here.  A PDF version of the letter sent to schools can also be viewed by clicking here.

You will want to sign up as soon as possible!  This opportunity fills up quickly!

All Things Science
...links to science "stuff "here, there, and everywhere...

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority  
The SCRCA has exceptional programs for educators, offered both in the classroom and as an outdoor field trip opportunity at their conservation areas.  A few examples of wonderful programs include "Amazing Groundwater Adventure", "Spring Has Sprung", and "Circle of Life".  To learn more about these and other programs offered to educators, click on this link and then go to "Conservation Education" on the menu bar.

 National Research Council of Canada
Find activity ideas by clicking here.

  Ontario Agri Foods Education
There is a large volume of available resources at www.oafe.org.

Ontario Dairy Education Program
The Dairy Industry serves as an interesting and unique learning vehicle for students to gain further knowledge while developing skills that will help them become well-informed decision makers and life-long learners. The program is 45 minutes in length with interactive activities based on the latest Ontario Curriculum presented by your County Dairy Educator. Book your FREE visit from the Dairy Educator Now!   You can also find more material at Dairy Farmers of Ontario at www.milk.org
Contact:  Marge Rutten
Lambton County Dairy Educator Program Coordinator
RR#6 Forest Ontario N0N 1J0
phone #(519)786-5796  fax # (519)786-4763
e-mail frutten@xcelco.on.ca

Stones & Bones Museum
This unique museum located in Sarnia, Ontario displays 10,000 square feet of galleries featuring international collections of flourescent minerals, fossils, gemstones, artifacts, shells, butterflies, insects, antlers, horns, shark jaws, animals, and dinosaurs.  Educational tours can be arranged by calling 519-336-2100.  This location was discussed in high regard during pilot teacher and curriculum committee discussions while working on our "Diversity" kit and our new "Habitats"' unit.  Check out their website at www.stonesnbones.ca. 

 

Moore Museum  
Moore Museum has many educational programs for educators that cover expectations from all areas of the curriculum, including Science and Technology.  Follow this link to find out "Moore".
 

 

STILL WANTED: 
Volunteers with a science, technology or engineering background

 

Adopt-a-Scientist  volunteers present curriculum-linked, interactive demonstrations in local classrooms.   We especially need volunteers in the Chatham-Kent area, but would welcome individuals residing anywhere within Lambton or Kent counties. 

We are looking for individuals who:

  • have a science, engineering or technical background,

  • think they would like to work with elementary school children,

  • have time to volunteer between September and June, and,

  • want to help students learn science by sharing their expertise.

Please help us spread the word.  If you know of anyone who may be interested, please forward this information and have them call Wendy at 519-541-0107 or e-mail to hooghiwe@lkdsb.net (Please put Adopt-a-Scientist in the subject area of the e-mail.)   

 
 

 

Working with the 2007Revised  Curriculum

The revised curriculum was finally published on the Ministry of Education Website in late December,2007.  Hard copies have been distributed to schools. You can find the document on the web at this address:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf 

Basic Highlights and Changes in the 2007 Revision of the Science and Technology Curriculum
  • There is a reduction from five strands to four, newly named strands.  Some topics have been completely eliminated (e.g. Gr. 8 Optics, Gr. 5 Weather) and others have been combined (e.g. Gr. 1 Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures).
     
  • The document is organized by Grade, not by strand.
     
  • NEW - In this document you will find;
    • Fundamental concepts
    • Big Ideas
    • an emphasis on environmental education
    • Skill Continua
       
  • Overall expectations
    • Relating Science & Technology to the World Outside school has become Relating Science & Technology to Society and the Environment (STSE expectations)
    • Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design and Communication has become Developing Investigation and Communication Skills
       
  • Expanded are the "Assessment and Evaluation" section and the "Glossary".
What SCIENCE KITS are available from the SEP, and how do I borrow one? Science kits are available to teachers within the St. Clair Catholic District School Board and the Lambton Kent District School Board.  Follow the links to the kit list...

 

 

Next Update: Fall 2010