What's New?                                                                          June 2008
 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Over the summer of 2008, we are revising our website to be new, improved and more helpful.  Please be patient with us! 

If you have any questions about the SEP or the resources available, please call 519-541-0107 (Tuesday-Thursday in July and August) or e-mail hooghiwe@lkdsb.net.

Have a happy & safe summer holiday!

 

 Revised Curriculum

The revised curriculum was finally published on the Ministry of Education Website in late December of 2007.  Hard copies are expected to be available sometime in February.  You can find the document on the web at this address: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf 

Our SEP Curriculum Teams will be working hard over the remainder of 2008 and the 2008/9 school year to assess our current kits and determine what needs to be done to align them with this new document.  In the meantime, you can see which kits fit where in the revised curriculum grid.  Remember that we have two distribution centres, so be sure to click on the list from the centre that serves your school.  Instructions on how to book a science kit are listed on each of the PDF files below.

PDF Revised Curriculum Grid with Science Kits - Chatham Science Resource Centre (Serving schools on the AA and BB courier routes, or schools in Chatham-Kent)

PDF Revised Curriculum Grid with Science Kits - Sarnia Science Resource Centre
(Serving schools on the A and B courier routes, or schools in Sarnia- Lambton)

 

Cool Local Science Stops

Brigden Fair

October 10th, 2008
Brigden Fair invites you to the Agriculture in the Classroom program, "A Little Bit of Country".  This day-long, curriculum linked, program includes "hands-on" activities exploring topics on animals, crops, changing technology, and how agriculture effects our daily lives.  It is open to Primary and Junior classes and there is no charge for the program.  To book your class trip, call Mona May Thompson at 864-7562 or the Bridgen Fair Office at 864-1780 or e-mail info@brigdenfair.ca. 

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!  
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. 

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.

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".

Do you have a favourite local science stop you would like to share with other educators within our district?  E-mail your suggestions to sciencecentre@lkdsb.net.  

 

 

We still want to Expand Adopt-a-Scientist

 
Have you heard of the Adopt-a-Scientist Program?  This is a fabulous program that pairs individuals that have a science/technical/engineering background with your class.  Volunteers go into the classroom to help students learn about science.  How?  Our volunteers will present curriculum-linked, interactive demonstrations.  

We NEED volunteers in the Chatham-Kent area.  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.

We're asking for your help in spreading the word to those in your school community who might be interested in becoming involved.  

This program has been active in the Sarnia area for over 10 years.  In the current academic year, we've already had 73 requests from 43 different teachers in 26 schools.

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.)   

 

Next Update:  fall 2008