Standards, PD, & Resources

Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

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DECEMBER 22, 2022


IN THIS EDITION

  • State Board of Education Conducts Audit Workshop for Math & Science Standards
  • Estelle Reel Day
  • We the People Results
  • Teacher Opportunities
  • Student Competitions
  • Science Fair
  • Social Studies
  • PAEMST

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONDUCTS AUDIT WORKSHOP FOR MATH & SCIENCE STANDARDS

  • The State Board of Education convened key stakeholders for a preliminary audit of math and science standards, in response to the resolution passed during the October meeting. 
  • Read the media release here.

ESTELLE REEL DAY

January 7

  • In recognition of Estelle Reel, the first woman elected state superintendent of public instruction in Wyoming and the second woman elected to statewide office in the U.S., January 7 of each year is designated as Estelle Reel Day. 
  • The day shall be appropriately observed by state and local governments and may be observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state.
  • A brief history of Reel is available from Wyohistory.org.

WE THE PEOPLE RESULTS

Sheridan HS and Cheyenne South HS Qualify for National Finals

  • Congratulations to this year’s We the People state champion, Sheridan High School, whose adviser is Michael Thomas.
  • The runner-up was Cheyenne South High School, coached by Erin Lindt and Reagan Kaufman.
  • The top two teams have earned a trip to the national finals, April 28-May 2, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
  • Other top finishers were Casper Kelly Walsh, 3rd; Cheyenne Central, 4th; Laramie, 5th; and Green River, 6th.

TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Teacher applications are open through December for the summer GEMS (Gains in the Education of Mathematics & Science) U.S. Army-sponsored Summer STEM program in identified states.
  2. EdReports is seeking content reviewers with deep content knowledge and experience in college and career-readiness standards for K-12 ELA, science, or mathematics, to assess instructional materials.
  3. A list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for students K-12 published in 2022 has been released in time for holiday reading.
  4. NSTA conference scholarship applications for preservice and new teachers to attend the National Conference on Science Education in March 2023 will be reviewed on a rolling basis through January 27.

STUDENT COMPETITIONS

  1. Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom Bookmark Competition - To showcase their understanding and appreciation of Wyoming’s essential resources, students from grades 2-5 may submit a bookmark illustrating this year’s theme: Stewardship of Wyoming Resources. Entry deadline is February 10, 2023.
  2. American Dream Essay Contest - This contest has impacted the lives of Wyoming students for more than 20 years. Students are eligible to receive cash winnings at the local and state level. Essays are due February 27, 2023.

SCIENCE FAIR

Regional Competitions Begin in January

  • Students in grades 6-12 are invited to showcase their original science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research.
  • Students who win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in their category and division (Jr. or Sr.) in a Regional Science Fair Competition are eligible for the State Science Fair competition.
  • The State Science Fair will take place March 5-7, 2023, in Laramie.
  • Submit required ISEF paperwork by February 10, 2023.
  • Visit the Wyoming State Science Fair website or Facebook page.
  • For more information, contact Erin Stoesz at 307-760-2465 or wyostatefair@gmail.com.

SOCIAL STUDIES

  1. Grand Teton National Park is offering three free programs in February and March from its Snow Desk, each tailored to specific grade levels. The program will be broadcast live via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom from the park’s desk made of snow at the base of the Teton Range. Sign up here.
  2. Retro Report is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization focused on free, short-form documentaries for classrooms. A library of 275+ films connects past and present through investigative journalism and storytelling. The website features a growing collection of lesson plans and student activities.
  3. The Stanford History Education Group offers winter professional development courses, including Intro to Reading Like An Historian, Wednesday evenings February 1-15, and Beyond the Bubble: Assessing Historical Thinking, Wednesday evenings March 1-15. Fee is $380 for each course.
  4. The Constitution Explained: iCivics presents a comprehensive, short-form video series explaining the text, history, and relevance of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and additional amendments.
  5. Civics in Real Time is a monthly podcast about civic issues, ideas, and events presented by the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government at the University of Central Florida.
  6. Foundations of Civic Culture: The Importance of Teachers to Free Speech, Civil Discourse, Economics, and Public Policy. The event will be held January 27-28, 2023, in Phoenix.
  7. Mount Vernon offers resources for Teaching Religious Freedom, including an interactive map, interactive timeline, graphic organizers, and Washington’s Awakening.

PAEMST 2022-23 AWARD CYCLE

Nominations close January 9, 2023

  • The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and/or computer science teachers.
  • Anyone may nominate exceptional STEM educators and computer science teachers currently teaching grades 7-12.  
  • Teachers may also apply directly. 
  • Learn more or nominate through www.paemst.org.

Wyoming Department of Education

Standards Team

Barb Marquer, Supervisor  | 307-777-5506

Rob Black, Social Studies/P.E./Health  | 307-777-3747

Antoinette Hallam, EL/Foreign Language  | 307-777-5217

Lori Pusateri-Lane, ELA/F&PA  |  307-777-8595

Alicia Wilson, Math/Computer Science  |  307-777-5036  

Bobbi Eichhorst, Science/CTE | 307-777-8753

Laurie Hernandez, Director  | 307-777-3469