Contents

Contacts

President’s Volume 53, Number 4 December 2009

Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective Inside:
Teachers Have
CAST 2009:
Aiwaiwa • Award Winners
Hawai’i
• Pictures
“Fantastic
Hawai’i” Teacher-Submitted Articles

The Official Newsletter of the Science Teachers Association of Texas

1
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Contacts
About Us
President’s
We are STAT, the Science Teachers Association of Texas.
Message
STAT is committed to the enhancement of the teaching of science in Texas at all levels
Calendar and in all science disciplines.

Regional For STAT Position Statements, go to: http://www.statweb.org/news/position.php

Reports STAT is:
o A statewide organization of elementary, middle level, and high school
Affiliate News teachers, college educators, supervisors of science, and others dedicated to
maintaining the highest levels of science and education in our schools.
CAST o A chapter of the National Science Teachers Association
o Visit the NSTA site
New Electrical
STAT seeks to:
Phenomenon or o Serve as a unified voice for the science teachers of the state.
Hoax? o Keep science teachers and other members informed about current trends in
science education.
Seven Senses o Provide opportunities for members to examine techonology, curriculum,
materials, and services.
All Effective o Inform members of local, state and national meetings, conferences, seminars
Teachers Have and workshops related to sciences.
o Cooperate with other science oriented organizations and teacher associations
Aiwaiwa in the promotion of teaching of science.
Hawai’i
“Fantastic History:
Hawai’i” STAT, Science Teachers Association of Texas, was formally organized in 1957 during
the 4th Annual Conference for the Advancement of Science & Mathematics Teaching
(CASMT). STAT membership is more than 6,000 strong!

2 2
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Contacts

President’s
Message
Contacts
Calendar Elected Officers ............................................4
Regional
Appointed Positions ....................................4
Reports Affiliate Congress ........................................5
Affiliate News
Regional Directors .......................................6
Texas State Board of Education..................7
CAST President’s Message .........................................8
New Electrical Calendar............................................................10
Phenomenon or Regional Reports .............................................11
Hoax?
Affiliate News ..................................................15
Seven Senses CAST 2009 Retrospective...............................17
All Effective
Teachers Have
New Electrical Phenomenon or Hoax?........21
Seven Senses that All Effective
Aiwaiwa Teachers Have ..................................................22
Hawai’i
“Fantastic Aiwaiwa Hawai’i “Fantastic Hawai’i”.........23
Hawai’i”

3
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Elected
Officers
Contacts STAT
Office
President’s Mailing Address:
President: Past President:
Message 5750 Balcones Dr., Patsy Magee Michael Baldwin
Ste 201 (409) 617-5054 (956) 548-8246
Austin, TX 78731
pmagee@beaumont.k12.tx.us lbaldwin@rgv.rr.com
Calendar Phone:
(512) 491-6685 President-Elect: Treasurer:
Regional Fax: Joel Palmer Laurel Frank
(512) 873-7423
Reports www.statweb.org
(972) 882-7388 (281) 232-2025
stat@bizaustin.rr.com jpalmer59@gmail.com lfrank@magnoliaisd.org
Affiliate News Vice President: Secretary:
Ross Ann Hill Karen Jo Matsler
CAST (806) 892-1900 (817) 483-7251
rahill@idalouisd.net kjmatsler@gmail.com
New Electrical
Appointed
Phenomenon or Positions
Hoax?

Seven Senses Executive Director: Texas Science Teacher

All Effective Chuck Hempstead Editor:
(512) 491-6685 Joel Palmer
Teachers Have stat@bizaustin.rr.com (972) 882-7388
jpalmer@mesquiteisd.org
Aiwaiwa CAST Exhibits Manager &
Hawai’i Advertising Manager: STATellite Editor:
“Fantastic Frank Butcher Jon Rodriguez
Hawai’i” (281)424-1230 (512) 491-6685
frank.butcher@comcast.net stat@bizaustin.rr.com

TEA Representative:
Kenn Heydrick
(512) 463-1827
Kenn.Heydrick@tea.state.tx.us

4
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Contacts

President’s
Message ACT ISEA
Associated Chemistry Informal Science
Calendar Teachers of Texas Education Association

Rhonda Alexander Kiki Corry

Regional rhondaalex@gmail.com kiki@corrywood.net
Reports

Affiliate News ISET TABT TAEE

Integrated Science Texas Association of Texas Association for
CAST Educators of Texas Biology Teachers Environmental Education

New Electrical Carole Henry Karen Hewitt Sally Wall

chenry1@satx.rr.com hewittkaren@yahoo.com swall@gccisd.net
Phenomenon or
Hoax?
TCES TESTA TMEA
Seven Senses Texas Council of Texas Earth Science Texas Marine
Elementary Science Teachers Association Educators Association
All Effective
Teachers Have Michael Vu Diann Valentine Marolyn Smith
mv12@bcm.edu dvalenti@houstonisd.org marolyn.smith@yahoo.com
Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic TSAAPT TSELA
Texas Section of the American Texas Science Education
Hawai’i” Association of Physics Teachers Leadership Association

Hugh Henderson Terry Talley

Hugh_Henderson@birdville.k12.tx.us DrTTalley@comcast.net

5
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Contacts
Region 6 Region 14
Georgeanna Adams-Molina Gary Mabry
President’s 3332 Montgomery Rd. 2110 Marsalis St.
Message Huntsville, TX 77340
E-mail
Abilene, TX 79603
E-mail

Region 7 Region 15
Calendar Donna Wise Jerita Taylor
1909 N. Longview Street P.O. Box 390
Kilgore, TX 75662 Bronte, TX 76933
Regional E-mail E-mail
Reports Region 1 Region 8 Region 16
Robert A. Soper Bobbette Doerrie
300 Hollywood Dr. 13925 CR B
Affiliate News Edinburg, TX 75839 Vacant Booker, TX 79005
E-mail E-mail

CAST Region 2 Region 9 Region 17

Lola Grundy Tanys Gene James Cathy Box
15222 Reales Drive 1625 Rodgers Dr. P.O. Box 698
New Electrical Corpus Christi, TX 78418
E-mail
Graham, TX 76450
E-mail
Tahoka, TX 79373
E-mail
Phenomenon or
Region 3 Region 10 Region 18
Hoax? Catherine W. Porter Bill Neal Martha Alexander
308 Welch 6231 Woodcrest Ln 5006 Castleford Rd.
Palacios, TX 77465 Dallas, TX 75214 Midland, TX 79705
Seven Senses E-mail E-mail E-mail

All Effective Region 4 Region 11 Region 19

Mary Ingle Becky Yarbrough James and Dusty Milson
Teachers Have 7145 W. Tidwell Road 3001 North Freeway 252 Viking
Houston, TX 77092-2096 Fort Worth, Tx 76106 El Paso, TX 79912
E-mail E-mail E-mail
Aiwaiwa
Co-Region 5 Region 12 Region 20
Hawai’i Mike Hoke Jeanine Wolf Mary Poarch
“Fantastic 1802 W Rein
Orange, TX 77630
3680 CR 269
Oglesby, TX 76561
1425 Wilshire Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78209
Hawai’i” E-mail E-mail E-mail

Co-Region 5 Region 13 Region 21

Roxanne Minix-Wilkins Dr. Barbara ten Brink Shari Hiltbrand
1130 Skipwith St. 1410 W. 29th Street 1330 Augusta #20
Beaumont, TX 77705 Austin, TX 78703 Houston, TX 77057
E-mail E-mail E-mail

6
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Gail Lowe, Chair William B. Travis Building
Lawrence A. Allen, Jr., Vice Chair 1701 North Congress Avenue
Contacts Terri Leo, Secretary Austin, Texas 78701-1494

President’s
Message SBOE District 1 - Rene Nuñez
1521 Upson Dr.
SBOE District 9 - Don McLeroy
9277 Brookwater Cir.
El Paso, TX 79902 College Station, TX 77845
(915) 351-9923 (979) 255-2538
Calendar (512) 936-4319 fax (979) 846-1174 fax

SBOE District 2 - Mary Helen Berlanga SBOE District 10 - Cynthia Nolan Dunbar
Regional 2727 Morgan Ave.
Corpus Christi, TX 78405
22123 Skyridge Ln.
Richmond, TX 77469
Reports (361) 881-1000
(361) 881-1028 fax
(512) 463-9007
(512) 936-4319 fax

SBOE District 3- Rick Agosto SBOE District 11 - Patricia Hardy

Affiliate News 205 N Presa, Ste B 200 900 N. Elm
San Antonio, TX 78205 Weatherford, TX 76086
(210) 226-7106 (817) 598-2968
CAST (210) 226-7104 fax (817) 598-2833 fax

SBOE District 4 - Lawrence A. Allen, Jr. SBOE District 12 - Geraldine Miller

New Electrical 4302 Grapevine
Houston, TX 77045
1100 Providence Tower West
Dallas, TX 75244

Phenomenon or (713) 433-4643

(713) 556-7243 fax
(972) 419-4000
(214) 552-8560 fax

Hoax? SBOE District 5- Ken Mercer SBOE District 13 - Mavis B. Knight

PO Box 781301 PO Box 763337
San Antonio, TX 78278 Dallas, TX 75376
Seven Senses (512) 463-9007
(512) 936-7319 fax
(214) 333-9575
(214) 339-9242 fax
All Effective
SBOE District 6 - Terri Leo SBOE District 14 - Gail Lowe
Teachers Have 23516 Twin Oaks Dr. RR#5 11 Chris Ave.
Spring, TX 77389 Lampasas, TX 76550
(281) 257-0832 fax (call first) (512) 556-6262

Aiwaiwa SBOE District 7 - David Bradley

(512) 556-3278 fax

Hawai’i 2165 North St.

Beaumont, TX 77701
SBOE District 15 - Bob Craig
PO Box 1979
“Fantastic (409) 835-3808 Lubbock, TX 79408
(806) 744-3232
Hawai’i” SBOE District 8 - Barbara Cargill
61 W. Wedgemere Cir.
(806) 744-2211 fax

The Woodlands, TX 77381

(281) 465-8095

Need to find your representative?

Search by zip code at:
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

7
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Contacts

President’s
Message A Message from President Magee
Calendar “Cruising the Currents of Science,” CAST 2009, is now a memory. I hope you got
something from CAST 2009 to help you “cruise” and carry your science classes forward. In spite
of the unique setbacks the Galveston CAST Committee encountered – HURRICANE IKE – they
Regional delivered an outstanding CAST – including glorious weather! To see pictures of some of the fun,
Reports click here!

Who would have thought that almost 6,000 Science Educators would invade Galveston Island at
Affiliate News the same time? There was unbelievable science taking place all over Galveston Island! Work-
shops, field trips, short courses, exhibits, speakers, socials, and tons of science educators net-
working literally took over Galveston Island in an extraordinary beach setting. I spent most of
CAST my conference time running from one activity to the next and meeting lots of wonderful people.
Science educators are truly the most exciting, interesting and fun group of people you can be
New Electrical with!

Phenomenon or I would like to thank everyone that helped make CAST 2009 possible and there were many! We
Hoax? could never have gotten this conference going without the hard work of Mike Baldwin (STAT
Past-President) and his committee – in spite of Hurricane Ike! Thank you!

Seven Senses There were many people working behind the scenes on committees to make the conference run
smoothly. (No registration lines this year!) I thank each of you for giving your time! Each work-
All Effective shop, short course, field trip presenter, and speaker had a major impact on the success of this
Teachers Have conference. Thank you! (In spite of 6,000 teachers trying to find a place to go!) All the vendors
that exhibited the newest in science equipment and materials made the exhibit hall a great place
to learn more about successful science. Thank you!
Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i Each of the STAT Affiliates had wonderful strands and luncheons to help science teachers receive
up to date science content and pedagogy. Thank you! The Administrator strand presented im-
“Fantastic portant science in formation and was well attended by Administrators – learning how to better
Hawai’i” promote science in their own District. Thank you!

There were so many to thank, that I can only say thank you to anyone that helped or stepped in
to make the Galveston Conference happen. A special thank you to the CAST 2010 group that
worked tirelessly to make the Galveston CAST work, while learning about what they will be
expected to do next year – thank you!

8
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Message from the President
Contacts
Another special thank you to Chuck Hempstead and his team. They worked continuously before, dur-
President’s ing and will continue to work to finish the Galveston just in time to begin again on CAST 2010. Thank
you! It would be impossible for STAT to have a quality conference without them.
Message
By now, you should have had the opportunity to reflect and express the things that need work for
CAST 2010. An evaluation went out by STAT flash to all registered conference attendees by email.
Calendar Please fill out the evaluation and return it as soon as possible. I have boxes (and boxes) of evaluations
that were done at the conference. The CAST 2010 committee will be busy reading and working to make
Regional CAST 2010 in Houston a great conference for you while addressing those issues you have brought to
our attention.
Reports
At the conference, I was privileged to meet and hear some of the most interesting exciting science ex-
Affiliate News perts! Each of them brought a unique science piece to the conference. I enjoyed hearing each of them,
but one left me with a thought that has lingered in my mind. I have heard Dr. Bernard Harris speak
to students several times. His message for students is about motivation, which is timely and critical to
CAST our students. However, his message to teachers at CAST was probably more important. He asked the
teachers in the room “How does a student get motivated if you as a teacher are not motivated?” His
message made me think! I realized that if we want students to become scientists we must do some-
New Electrical thing in our classes to motivate them and that motivation must come from us as their science teachers!
Phenomenon or Whatever message you took back, I hope it has resulted in a renewed enthusiasm and passion for your
and your classes!
Hoax?
Start planning now for next year! CAST 2010 (Houston) is coming! We hope to see you there! We are
Seven Senses planning a great conference and know you will enjoy participating in “Science in the City!”

All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

9
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Contacts
October 2010
President’s Rio Grande Balley Science Conference
October 9 - 10, 2010
Message Mercedes, TX
NSTA Area Conference
Calendar October 28 - 30. 2010
Kansas City, MO
Regional
Reports December 2009 November 2010
NSTA Area Conference CAST 2010
Affiliate News December 3 - 5, 2009 November 11 - 13, 2010
Phoenix, AZ Houston, TX
CAST January 2010
NSTA Area Conference
November 11 - 13, 2010
Region 10/11 Mini-CAST Baltimore, MD
New Electrical January 23, 2010
Phenomenon or Colleyville, Texas
Hoax?
February 2010
Seven Senses Region 4 Mini-CAST
All Effective February 20, 2010
Houston, Texas
Teachers Have
March 2010
Aiwaiwa
NSTA National Conference
Hawai’i March 18 - 21, 2010
“Fantastic Philadelphia, PA
Hawai’i”
July 2010
TESTA Iceland Trip
July 19 - 25, 2010
Iceland

10
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Regional Reports
Contacts

President’s
Region I
by Bob Soper, Region I Director
Message

Calendar The Rio Grande Valley Science Association held its 22nd Annual Conference on Friday and Satur-
day, October 9-10, at the South Texas ISD High Schools in Mercedes. Friday our featured speaker, Dr.
Regional David Dilcher, one of the foremost paleobotanists in the world, spoke to two different groups. Friday
morning at 10 AM, Dr. Dilcher spoke to about 125 AP Biology students from Edinburg, PSJA, and
Reports South Texas ISD’s in the Biblioteca Los Americos auditorium of South Texas ISD. Friday evening at
7:30 PM Dr. Dilcher spoke to over 100 people from the community at large. Both of these events were/
are free of charge. Our goal, as again in this case, is to bring in internationally known speakers to the
Affiliate News students and citizens of the Rio Grande Valley.

CAST Saturday saw about 400 teachers gather at the two high schools to attend the various workshops
and view exhibits. The RGV SA Conference featured about 80 workshops and 50 exhibitors during the
day. Mike Baldwin, who was then STAT President, gave the opening address in lieu of participation
New Electrical from TEA. The participants enjoyed a hot breakfast and a hot lunch to energize them during the day.
Phenomenon or Door prizes and CEU certificates were to be had at the end of the day. Dr. Dilcher gave two more talks
during the day for teachers. The superintendent of South Texas ISD (Dr. Marla Guerra), Principals/
Hoax? Asst. Principals from the two high schools, and students were involved in helping us put on another
successful Conference. In the evening, those presentors and exhibitors remaining, along with RGV SA
Board members and Dr. Dilcher, “retired” to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, for a gala dinner at one of the
Seven Senses local restaurants.
All Effective
As reported previously, the RGV SA sponsored a week-long summer science camp for elementary
Teachers Have girls in June for about 25 young ladies. This month (December), the RGV SA will sponsor two one-day
workshops by NASA for teachers of the Region I area. In January, Dr. Craig Wilson of TAMU, will
Aiwaiwa present a one day workshop for the RGV SA. We will also be looking forward to choosing the Teacher
of the Year in science for elementary, middle, and high school and the Administrator of the year. Each
Hawai’i of these carries publicity plus a plaque and monetary award.
“Fantastic
Our website is attempting to be a unifying site for various science activities and groups in the Region
Hawai’i” I area. Science is alive and well the RGV of Texas in spite of the economy and the SBOE.

Robert Soper
300 Hollywood Dr.
Edinburg, Texas 78539-6118
956-381-0690

11
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Regional Reports
Contacts

President’s
Region IV
by Mary Ingle, Region IV Director
Message

Calendar The second annual Region 4 Science Conference will be held on February 20, 2010 at the William
McKinney Conference Center at Region 4 from 8:00 am–3:30 pm. The conference theme is “Gaining
Regional Momentum in Science Literacy”. Sessions are available for all grades and science courses in elemen-
tary school, middle school, and high school.
Reports
Presentation Themes:

Affiliate News  Biology  General Science

 Chemistry  Instructional Strategies
CAST  Earth Science  Science Process Skills
 Environmental Science  Science, Technology, Society
 Life Science  Special Populations in Science
New Electrical  Physics  Statewide Assessment
Phenomenon or Registration fee is $80.00 (includes all conference materials)
Hoax?
To register online, visit www.theansweris4.net, click on “Professional Development,” and enter Session
ID number 430889.
Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

12
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Regional Reports
Contacts

President’s
Region X & XI
by Becky Yarbrough
Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports
Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching
Affiliate News Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:30 am - 3:45 pm (registration 8:00 am –8:30 am)
Colleyville Heritage High School
CAST 5401 Heritage Avenue – Colleyville, Texas - 76034

New Electrical This Regional Mini-CAST has become a tradition for metroplex elementary and secondary science edu-
cators. Educators from ESC Regions 10 & 11 and surrounding areas are invited to participate as present-
Phenomenon or ers and/or attendees. This one day conference is designed to support the work of science educators by
Hoax? providing interaction with other educators, professional training, informative workshop sessions and
an opportunity to see commercial products on exhibit. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Lunch
is provided with registration. Please comply with the deadlines and appropriate return addresses. No
Seven Senses confirmation for registration will be sent.
All Effective
Local, high quality professional development – 6 hours CPE Opportunity for PDAS fulfillment Mul-
Teachers Have tiple sessions, varied topics Exhibits, door prizes include scholarships to help attend CAST in Houston
2010.
Aiwaiwa Click here for a registration form
Hawai’i Click here for an exhibitor form
“Fantastic Questions? Contact Kevin Fisher @ Lewisville ISD, 469-948-8225 or fisherk@lisd.net
Hawai’i”

13
 Contents Remember
the first time
you fell in love
Contacts
with science?
President’s
We do. It is the reason
Message we believe in hands-on
scientific technology. It
Calendar engages students in a
meaningful way, develops
keen analytical skills,
Regional and awakens a love
Reports for discovery.

www.vernier.com
Affiliate News for product tours, training
videos, FREE sample
CAST labs, and to look for
FREE workshops in
your neighborhood.
New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic LabQuest
®

Hawai’i” $
329
Only $299 when you
buy 8 or more

V e r n i e r S o f t w a r e & Te c h n o l o g y • w w w . v e r n i e r . c o m • To l l F r e e : 8 8 8 - 8 3 7 - 6 4 3 7

STATellite_Oct09.indd 1 10/28/09 4:36 PM

14
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Affiliate News
Contacts

President’s
Texas Earth Science Teachers Association
Message TESTA
by Diann Valentine
Calendar WOW… what a fantastic 25th Anniversary the Texas Earth Science Teachers, TESTA, celebrated at
CAST in Galveston this past November.
Regional We began this year by hosting paleontologist, Mike Everhart, talk of the making of the Sea Mon-
Reports sters as a featured lecture. We followed with a reception for Mike to answer questions and sign his
books and DVD’s. We served punch and cake to over 100 guests that attended our celebration. We
enjoyed meeting new members as well as visiting with our ”fossil” members. Thank you Mike for
Affiliate News sharing your expertise and stories with us.

This year we had several new presenters for TESTA. We would like to thank Davin Wallace, Dr.
CAST Stephanie Shipp and Dr. Jacklyn Allen for leading wonderful field trips. Other new workshop pre-
senters included Jan Grout, Carol Waters and Nancy Fiegel. Dr. Alison Henning, Rice University,
did double duty by presenting a short course as well as being our awesome guest speaker at the
New Electrical annual TESTA’s luncheon.
Phenomenon or
Alumni workshop presenters included Youlanda Marshall and short course presenters Dr. Jill Bail-
Hoax? er, Alexia Bienek and Dr. Debra Mullinax.

Our share-a-thon had over 125 participants swing through to pick up teacher tried lessons for their
Seven Senses classrooms. Those participating included Kathryn Barclay, Miranda Embrick, Greg Adragna, Katie
All Effective Wagner, Gail Gant, Jan Grout, Nancy Fiegel, Tami Baker, Tom Killen, Dr. Jill Bailer, and me, Diann
Valentine.
Teachers Have
Again, we want to thank these leaders of our science community for sharing with all of us their ex-
pertise and teaching wisdom!
Aiwaiwa
Our Rock Raffle was a huge success! The quality of our 225 specimens was the best over! We want
Hawai’i to thank these new donors for their generous donations: Tami and Richard Baker, Piney Woods
“Fantastic Gem and Mineral Society from Huntsville, TCU, Dr. Richard Hanson Chair, Dept of Geology, GIS
in Schools, George Dailey program manager and the Lunar Planetary Institute. The Houston Gem
Hawai’i” and Mineral Society as always donates great specimens for this event.

Continuous supports with great donations for door prizes to our luncheon include DynaNotes by
Ellen Harris, Geoblocks by Jon Kountz, Forestry Suppliers, and McDonald Observatory. Please visit
our website for links for all our wonderful sponsors.

15
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Affiliate News
Contacts

President’s
TESTA (cont’d.)
Message To continue our 25th celebration we are offer-
ing a spring conference “Texas – Underground!”
It will be held April 9-11 in Sonora, Texas and
Calendar your mind &
Expand
features on Saturday 4 sessions entitled Under-
ground Classroom, Orienteering, Hydrology
Regional and a tour of the Caverns. Sunday morning in-
cludes TEXAS Rocks! and optional trail caving
Reports and rappelling. Conference fee is $150 and in-
cludes activities, food and 2 nights hotel. expand their world!
Affiliate News Click here for a registration form.
Pursue one of Texas Tech’s Master of
CAST Also TESTA is offering again Iceland July 19-
Science in Multidisciplinary Science
25, 2009! We were lucky to have the renowned
Ari….sign on again as our tour guide. He did an degrees - MSCI or MS2
New Electrical outstanding job for those of us that attended last MSCI focuses on high school science with
Phenomenon or year. It is a trip of a lifetime for geology lovers. fall/spring coursework available online and
Check our website for more information about summer sessions at TTU Junction.
Hoax? both of these professional development oppor-
tunities. MS2 focuses on middle school math and
science with fall/spring coursework available
Seven Senses online and summer sessions in Lubbock.
All Effective www.de.ttu.edu/cast
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic just Science & Reading
Hawai’i” by Rosemary Martin
Supporting Science, Inc.
laminate
& cut
TEKS Correlated

Interactive manipulative activities & games

• Teach, review, tutor & assess
• Cover concepts & process skills
• Engage learners with visuals & color
• Differentiate for special populations

16
 Contents

Contacts

President’s
Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or Galveston, Texas
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

17
 Contents

Contacts
CAST 2009 Sponsors
President’s Thank You for Helping Make CAST
Message
2009 Possible!
Calendar For more information on each sponsor, please click their logo.

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

Want to be cool like these guys? You’re in luck, sponsorships are still available!
To find out more, go to http://www.statweb.org/cast/sponsor.php

18
 Contents

Contacts
CAST 2009 Awards
President’s Congratulations to the
Message
2009 STAT Award Winners
Calendar Rookie - Outstanding Science Teacher
Regional Thomas Delgado
Reports Laurel Ridge Campus
University of Texas - University Charter School District
Affiliate News

CAST Elementary School - Outstanding Science Teacher

New Electrical Michelle Brown
Phenomenon or Lloyd R. Ferguson Elementary School
Clear Creek ISD
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective Middle School - Outstanding Science Teacher
Teachers Have
MJ Tykoski
Cooper Junior High School
Aiwaiwa Wylie Independent School District
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i” High School - Outstanding Science Teacher
Cynthia Parish
Ozen High School
Beaumont ISD

19
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Contacts
CAST 2009 Pictures
President’s Click Here for the full gallery
Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

20
 Contents
New Electrical Phenomenon or Hoax?
By Frank Butcher
Contacts
This video is a thought provoking demonstration that can be a great teaching tool to reinforce a
couple of basic electrical concepts.
President’s
Message Show the video to your students, and solicit their opinions about whether this is legitimate. You
might even consider following it up with a lab activity in which the students try to replicate the event.
Remind your students that the two requirements for a current to flow are (1) there must be a potential
Calendar difference, and (2) there must be a conducting pathway (closed circuit).

Regional Probe with some questions:

Is there anything going on in this event that would create a potential difference?
Reports Would two burning candles, operating exactly alike, have different electrical potentials?

Hopefully, the thought that goes into answering questions like these will lead the students to realize
Affiliate News that there cannot be a potential difference between the candles, and therefore no current can flow be-
tween them.
CAST
To further expose the hoax, ask your students to trace out the circuit. Is the circuit closed?

New Electrical A fun activity like this makes me wish that I was still teaching physics. You can’t fool Mother Nature
Phenomenon or and the great thing about science in general and physics in particular is that if you understand Mother
Nature’s rules, you can’t be fooled either.
Hoax?
Thanks to Shane May, my ex-student and successor at Deer Park High School for bringing this video
to my attention.
Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

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Seven Senses That All Effective
Contacts Teachers Have
By Gale C. Stanford

President’s As an educational consultant, I have The “how” does matter! Many of our students
Message had the privilege of observing teachers of all grade come to us without ever having experienced their
levels as they instruct their students.
NascoThe ques-
Science needs being met, let along someone placing their
Division
tion that always came to mind as STATellite was, needs before his or her own.
I observedNewsletter
Calendar “Why are some teachers more effective than oth-
Dec 2009
ers?” After much pondering and many more ob-
STAT912 This school year let us remember that a loving
servations, it became quite clear to me that there attitude can change a student’s life.
Regional are seven “senses” that differentiate the effective
Reports from the non-effective teacher: a sense of love (car-
ing), giving, understanding, responsibility, ser-
vice, teaching, and inspiring.
Affiliate News
These qualities are not, and maybe cannot be,
CAST taught in a teacher preparation course, yet they are STAT912

vital to the success of students, both academically

and socially. Take “love” for example. Many of
New Electrical you may ask the question that Tina Turner asked,
“What does love have to do with it?” There are
Phenomenon or several kinds of love, but only one that is essen-
Hoax? tial to a teacher making a heart to heart connection
with students and that is the kind of love that puts
the needs of others before its own. It is that kind
Seven Senses of love that most of us have for our families and
All Effective close friends.

Teachers Have This “unconditional” love has everything to

do with how a student perceives the teacher, how
Aiwaiwa the student perceives instruction, and how the
student performs academically and behaviorally.
Hawai’i Students want to know that their teachers care
“Fantastic about them and have their best interest at heart.

Hawai’i” I conducted a survey of inner city middle and

high school students and asked them to rate ques-
tions that focused on the student-teacher relation-
ship. The number one concern for students was
not what they were taught, but how they were
taught.

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Aiwaiwa Hawai’i
Contacts “Fantastic Hawai’i”
By MJ Tykoski

President’s Kea at the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in bit-

ing cold temperatures looking at the most amaz-
Message ing sky I’ve ever seen. This trip was courtesy of
a National Science Foundation grant to Dr. John
Calendar Lacy of The University of Texas at Austin. Besides
conducting his research, another purpose of this
trip was to show K-12 teachers what observing
Regional runs are like at one of the world’s best observato-
Reports ries.

As an eighth grade science teacher, I want-

Affiliate News ed to use this trip to make more concrete connec-
tions for my students between the electromagnetic
spectrum and astronomy. Astronomy is usually
CAST one of the most engaging units I teach all year and
with 2009 being the International Year of Astron-
omy I anticipate my astronomy unit being even
New Electrical bigger and better. When most students think of
Phenomenon or astronomy, pretty pictures from the Hubble Space
Telescope often come to mind. However, one can’t
Hoax? make pretty “pictures” in the infrared because our
eyes do not detect these wavelengths. Infrared as-
Seven Senses tronomers look at spectra instead; patterns of lines
at different wavelengths showing where infrared
All Effective light is absorbed or emitted. I hoped to bring part
Teachers Have While packing for my recent trip to Hawai’i, of this experience back to my classroom by shad-
I ran into a dilemma. I could get the long under- owing the astronomers at the IRTF.
wear and sweatshirts in my suitcase, but I was hav-
Aiwaiwa ing trouble fitting the down-filled winter jacket. I Upon arrival on Mauna Kea, all observers
must stay at the dormitory Hale Pohaku for twen-
Hawai’i finally used a vacuum-sealing bag, but instead of
ty-four hours to acclimate to the high altitude.
vacuuming the air out I rolled it up and sat on it.
“Fantastic It fit pretty well in my suitcase after that. Hale Pohaku, which means “house of stone” in
Hawai’ian, is at 9,200 feet, while the telescopes are
Hawai’i” Wait a minute, you think. Long under- located near Mauna Kea’s summit, which is 13,796
wear? Sweatshirts? Down-filled winter jackets? feet above sea level . The high elevation is perfect
And you were going to Hawai’i? for ground-based infrared observing because it is
above most of the water vapor in the atmosphere.
If this doesn’t sound like a typical pack- Water vapor is an infrared astronomer’s biggest
ing list for Hawai’i it’s because this was not your enemy because it absorbs infrared light. The drier
typical Hawai’i trip. Instead of lounging on sunny the conditions, the happier the infrared astrono-
beaches watching surfers, I was on top of Mauna mer.

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Aiwaiwa Hawai’i - Fantastic Hawai’i” (cont’d.)
Contacts

President’s
Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax? As I entered the lobby of Hale Pohaku, I was Dr. Lacy was waiting for us at the IRTF and
greeted by the flags of all the countries that par- quickly gave us a tour of the telescope and con-
ticipate in at least one observatory on Mauna Kea. trol room. The IRTF primary mirror is 3 meters
Seven Senses Although I knew there were multiple, separately across. Unlike most people’s mental picture of a
All Effective owned and operated observatories near the sum- telescope, there was no tube leading up from the
mit, I wasn’t as aware of the level of international mirror. Instead there was an open, latticework
Teachers Have cooperation between many of them. More than a structure that supported a secondary mirror, and
dozen flags are flown in the lobby of Hale Pohaku, the rest was left open to allow for better air cir-
including the flag of the state of Texas. culation through the dome. Attached to the IRTF
Aiwaiwa was the Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrom-
Hawai’i After our acclimation period and just be- eter (TEXES) which was designed and built by
fore sunset, my cohorts and I made our first trip to Dr. Lacy. The control room was simple, with one
“Fantastic the summit area. Looking at the silhouette of the computer station for the telescope operator, and
Hawai’i” Keck observatory against a flaming sunset of red, three other stations for the observers.
orange, and yellow was one of the most incred-
ible sights I’ve ever seen. As I looked down on There were multiple projects going on, but
the horizon, I realized what I first thought were the two I found most interesting were the observa-
ocean waves were actually clouds below me! The tions of Saturn’s moon Titan and the galaxy NGC
temperature was a chilling 34ºF, so I was very glad 5506. Both of these projects used the TEXES in-
I had squeezed the long underwear, sweatshirts, strument. Dr. Tommy Greathouse of the South-
and down-filled winter coat into my suitcase. west Research Institute was observing the atmo-
sphere of Titan. His research on the atmosphere

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Aiwaiwa Hawai’i - Fantastic Hawai’i” (cont’d.)
Contacts
of Saturn and its satellites has already helped sup-
port the Cassini and Huygens missions to Saturn
President’s and Titan. The observations of NGC 5506 were for
Message Dr. Sara Beck of Tel Aviv University. She was not
actually at the observatory, so Dr. Lacy was taking
data for her. Dr. Beck’s work centers on trying to
Calendar see what is going on in the center of NGC 5506.
The center of the galaxy could contain black holes,
stellar nurseries, or clouds of gas and dust. If you
Regional look at this area in optical wavelengths, you will
Reports just see a bright blur because gas and dust blocks
those wavelengths that our eyes can see. Infrared
wavelengths penetrate the gas and dust and allow
Affiliate News us to see what is really going on in the center of
the galaxy.
CAST Another highlight of the trip was the tour
of the Gemini telescope given by Peter Michaud,
the Director of Education and Outreach for Gem-
New Electrical ini North. The Gemini telescope is an 8-meter
Phenomenon or telescope that observes in both optical and infra-
red wavelengths. The name Gemini is from the
Hoax? twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology: The
Gemini North telescope has a twin Gemini South
Telescope in Cerro Pachón, Chile. Between these
two telescopes, astronomers can see the entire
night sky. It was obvious from learning that the
8- meter diameter Gemini mirror is coated with a
mere two ounces of aluminum, to seeing the intri-
cate wire harness designed to ensure none of the
cords leading to the telescope get tangled up, that
Gemini is a center of ingenuity.
After a marvelous week on the Big Island
of Hawai’i, I had to return to Earth in an almost lit-
eral sense. Descending from 13,000 feet to sea level
was harder than the trip up in some ways. True,
going up took my breath away in more ways than
one, but it was especially hard to leave that spec-
tacular mountain and all its wonders. I eagerly
anticipate my astronomy unit this year even more
than usual because of this experience and the new
perspective I get to share with my students.
I also look forward to explaining to my fellow
teachers why I brought a winter coat to Hawai’i!

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

25
 Contents

Contacts

President’s
Message

Calendar

Regional
Reports

Affiliate News

CAST

New Electrical
Phenomenon or
Hoax?

Seven Senses
All Effective
Teachers Have

Aiwaiwa
Hawai’i
“Fantastic
Hawai’i”

26
 Contents

Contacts
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President’s
Message
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Seven Senses
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All Effective
Teachers Have Jon Rodriguez, Editor
The STATellite
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