Author: Barbara Casanova

The PESI Newsletter – April 2020 is out! 

https://mailchi.mp/26366c068cc3/pesi-april-newsletter

Read about the ways PESI has been supporting Tucson area teachers with ASTA Workshops & Cooper Center Collaborations, get the latest Grant updates, see descriptions of the SARSEF 2020 Competition winners’ projects, and find out about TUSD Summer Science Professional Development opportunities.

Check out these science related interactives for teachers and PESI followers to use in these unique times of online learning.

Exploratorium – General science support for your virtual classroom or learning together at home.

Edheads is an online educational resource that provides science and math games and activities that promote critical thinking. Choose from Simple Machines, Virtual Knee Surgery or Stem Cell Heart Repair, among others. All activities meet state and national standards.  Edheads requires a membership for access to the entire website, but . . .                                                        THERE ARE STILL SOME FREE GAMES!  Look at the menu bar, click ‘Games’ and look for the ‘free games’ section.  You can still play Virtual Hip Resurfacing, Sickle Cell DNA, Trauma and other games without logging on and without a membership!  Edheads recommends Parent and Teachers:  Read Dan Edwards’ blog posts to learn more about how to raise a STEM-oriented, critically thinking child!

 The Concord Consortium  STEM Resource Finder was developed by curriculum experts and funded by the National Science Foundation and other private and federal granting agencies. Free registration is available for teachers. The site offers scientifically accurate models and activities for use with students.

Since school closures due to COVID-19 has everyone moving to Online Learning, PESI took action to join the online trend.  Participating Ecosystems Grant teachers have been given the option to complete their grant requirements online.  Teachers will email their students two tree lessons, a Home/School Tree Inventory and directions for completing a student project at home.  A list of additional online resources about the benefit of trees and water conservation will also be attached.  

PESI is committed to science education.  Our Ecosystems Grant is all about getting students engaged in science and in this case, outdoor learning, with emphasis on the benefits of trees and water conservation. Grant teachers are excited to send these science lessons home to their students. “My students will love being able to get outside and complete the tree lessons with their families,” said one teacher.  Providing online access to grant lessons from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Neighborhood Forests Southwest Learning Guide for our participating grant teachers is a great way to make science happen.

Check back soon . . .

PESI plans to share the student projects on our website!

Are you looking for some fun and educational online DESERT resources?  Well, I found some right here in our own backyard!  Just 15 miles west of the city of Tucson, you will find the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. 

Even though the museum is currently closed to the public, their website is open and features several desert online learning options as well as a desert spring art show for you to enjoy. 

Some of the artwork  from the art show is available for purchase, so if you see something you like, you can email arts@desertmuseum.org for more information.