Oxford Science Update

August-Welcome and Introduction to Science for the year & classroom organization.

September-Night Sky. Measurement. Rock Observations. Rock Families. Mock Rocks. Taking Rocks Apart. Observing Crystals.

October-Observing Minerals. Properties of Minerals (Scratch Test). Detecting Calcite. Take it for granite. Revisit Rock Cycle.

November- Landforms. Fossils. Magnet Explorations. The Force (Magnetic Objects). The Force (Probes).

December- Static Electricity. Light a Bulb. Conductor/Insulator Testing. Current Attractions

January-Ecosystems (Monterey Aquarium). Mini-sprouters. Heirloom Tomatoes (Experiment Design)..

February- Terrarium Design. Observe organisms Habitats/Ecosystems. Aquarium Design. Adaptations..

March- Food Chains/Webs. Brine Shrimp Hatching.

April- Range of Tolerance. Projects. STAR TESTING

May-STAR TESTING. Review Measurement. Solar System. Astronomy. Introduction to Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope.

June-Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Continued.

August-Welcome and Introduction to Science for the year & classroom organization.

September-Night Sky. Various topics in Measurement: Linerar, Volume, & Mass.

October-The Scientific Process: Experimental Procedures, Lab Reports, Variables, and Designing An Experiment.
October-Night Sky. Mixtures and Solutions. Seperating Mixtures. Seperating Salt Solutions. Saturation & Supersaturation. Fizz Quiz. Acid-Base Reactions. Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions.

November-Night Sky. Chemical Equations. The Periodic Table. Metals Investigations.
Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Activity.

December-Night Sky. Solar System. Solar System Size. Gravity in the Solar System. Water Vapor. Water Cycle. Heating the Earth. Convection. Air Pressure.

January- Weather. Severe Weather. Project.

February- Living Systems. Cell Structure. Vascular Plants. Photosynthesis. Respiratory System. Circulatory System.

March- Digestive System. Endocrine System. Project. Begin Review of 5th grade STAR Test.

April-Review for 5th grade STAR TEST. Fifth Grade Star Test.

May-Other Star Testing. Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Activities. Individual and Group Projects.

June- Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Activities. Individual and Group Projects continued.

Prior to teaching science at the elementary school level, he worked as a Naturalist for the City of Berkeley at the Shorebird Nature Center/Adventure Playground. His day job for the last 19 years has been as a Science Specialist at the elementary school level for the Berkeley Unified School District. In the evenings for the past twelve or so years, he has taught the Science Curriculum and Instruction Course for Multiple Subject Candidates and Single Subject Candidates in the Department of Teacher Education at CSUEB. Additional courses taught at CSUEB include all of the Master's Courses in Environmental Education and Science Content for the CSET Prep Course. As a member of teacher/educator teams he has done research with NOAA in Alaska, and sub-atomic particle research at Los Alamos National Lab. Recently he completed training for the remote operation of the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope, making it possible for students in the classroom to control an active radio telescope online from the classroom. Related NASA projects include the LCROSS Mission looking for water ice on the Moon, and the upcoming Juno Program with NASA starting in 2010. Recipient of the inaugural CSUEB Department of Teacher Education Career Achievement Award.