November

2016

The TESTA Tailings – CAST Edition

S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

CAST 2015

Preparations

Professional

Development

Strand

Share-A-Thon

Charles Swift

Memorial

Rock Raffle

TESTA

Dinner

Social

Changes for

TESTA!

CAST week is upon us and TESTA is getting ready but we need you to help! If you are planning on attending CAST 2016 in San Antonio, please volunteer to help with the TESTA activities. There are many ways to get involved with your Affiliate Organization and be a part of CAST versus just attending CAST. Think of TESTA as your “home” while you are attending the conference. In addition to helping the organization out, this also looks great on your PDAS or T-TESS! Ways to help support YOUR organization:

TESTA Dinner - Make plans to attend the TESTA dinner and meeting on Friday night. We will be getting together to make new friends with our members, honor our Teacher of the Year and Friends of TESTA, have a short business meeting as required by our by-laws, and listen to a great speaker from the San Antonio Water Authority.

Share-a-Thon – Volunteer to share a favorite activity or lesson that you have developed that works with your students. Volunteering at this makes you a PRESENTER at CAST, not just an attendee. We still need people to help spread the science knowledge and this is a great way to do that without doing an hour lone workshop.

Rock Raffle – We need volunteers to help set-up the raffle, run prizes to the winners, and clean up afterwards. This is TESTA’s only fundraiser so please help out where you can. Have items to donate? Please bring them to the booth and we will get it into the rock raffle or give it away at the Share-a-thon.

Renew your membership – Please stop by the booth and renew your membership during CAST. Only $10.00 a year!

P A G E 2

CAST 2016

Mary has been selected as the TESTA Teacher of the Year for CAST 2016. An outstanding science teacher since 1985 and the former Assistant Director of School Improvement for North East ISD where she was the Pre-K – 12 science program supervisor for 70 schools, Mary has greatly influence science education in Texas.

Here is her philosophy of science teaching -

I am the Earth Science teacher in an independent school. In a system free from the constraints of state standards and standardized tests, I have been allowed to develop a curriculum that is rich and meaningful for sixth grade students. I have opted for an Earth Systems approach to the course. Using the Next Generation Science Standards and the Physical Systems and Environment and Society strands from the National Geography Standards I am crafting a class that shows the interconnections and interrelationships of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere for my students. We began our study with an examination of the systems/spheres and the effect that events can have on each system. This study included both man-made and natural events. As we explore each system, there is a built-in recursive, spiraling element to tie what was learned before to what is being learned now. This helps demonstrate the connectedness of all parts of our planet to the children. We investigate human impact as we go along; there is no stand-alone environmental unit. I want the students to feel that they are part of our planet. I want them to understand that they can make decisions and take actions (both positive and negative) that have short and long term effects. I want them to understand how our planet works and the part they play in how it works. Educators are critically important in developing the understanding of how the planet Earth works in children. In my role as classroom teacher, it is my responsibility to provide students with the opportunity to learn about our planet, its systems and cycles, and the role humans play on Earth. These opportunities take different forms. Hands-on science investigations are a major part of our classroom practice, but students also have the chance to read, write, research and discuss issues and events occurring in the earth systems. Because my students are 11 – 12 years old, they do not bring especially broad backgrounds to class with them. It is my charge to introduce students to the world around them; both local and global. The use of available connected technologies: Google Earth, online access to experts, citizen science, live streaming media, as well as more traditional media (i.e. videos) are all essential in helping students see and understand a bigger picture of their global home. Providing the experiences is not enough however, I must also engage my students in the conversations necessary to understanding the causes and effects of events in Earth’s systems. I must allow them the opportunity to discuss, argue, come to conclusions and even change their minds about how our world works.

Mary will be recognized during the TESTA dinner with an engraved plaque, $300.00 award

check, a $100.00 gift certificate to WARD’S and complementary tickets to the dinner at

Tomatillos for her and a guest.

TESTA Teacher of the Year – Congratulations to Mary Poarch,

Marrs and Verna McLean Master Chair of Science, Saint Mary’s Hall School.

3210 Broadway St San Antonio, TX 78209 Phone: (210) 824-3005

TESTA Dinner – Friday, November 11th – 8 PM

While it would be great to go down to the River walk for dinner on Friday night, unfortunately it

will be a Zoo! While CAST is going on in one part of the convention center, the San Antonio Auto

Show will be held in the rest of the center. They are expecting about 100,000 visitors to cycle

through the auto show while CAST is on! So avoid the crowds and plan to attend the TESTA

dinner at Tomatillos Café y` Cantina. Tomatillos is located about 3 miles from the convention

center. Too far to walk, but it is an easy cab or Uber ride if you are planning to partake of the

many margaritas! There is plenty of free parking available if you want to drive but it is too far to

walk since it is across the interstate. This is a great time to get together to visit and socialize

with Earth Science teachers from across the state. We will also recognize our Teacher of the

Year, Friends of TESTA, and listen to a great speaker, Gregg Eckhardt who has graciously agreed

to come and speak on a Friday night.

Gregg is an environmental scientist who has been studying the Edwards

Aquifer and issues surrounding it since 1972. In 1994 he perceived a need for

internet based resources on the Edwards that would be unbiased, educational,

and non-technical, so he created the Edwards Aquifer Website in 1995.

He has undergraduate degrees in Geography and English, and a Master of

Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Texas at San

Antonio. He has 27 years of experience in environmental modeling and

analysis, water resource planning and development, state and federal

permitting, and water treatment. He is a Registered Environmental Manager and holds Texas "A"

level licenses for both water and wastewater operations. For more than four decades he has been

an avid student of aquifer studies and the natural Texas environment. He has also been a

dedicated computer hack since the early days of personal computing. He serves on numerous local

boards and committees and has served several State appointments to scientific and educational

panels.

The Edwards pages have been adopted as part of the curriculum for many earth science classes

and laboratories all over the world, and over the years about 15,000 of you have emailed

appreciative comments. In 2007 the Texas Water Utilities Association awarded his Edwards

Aquifer Website their prestigious Exemplary Service in Public Education Award. In 2008, 2009,

and 2010, the website was named as a Finalist for the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards,

one of the State's highest honors. Having been a Finalist three times without winning makes

Gregg the official 'Susan Lucci' of the TEEA Awards.

http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/gregg.html

At Tomatillos, one of the top Mexican food restaurants in San Antonio, we have secured the

private dining room and have arranged for a Fajita and Enchilada Buffet. The meal will feature

chips, salsa, queso, beef and chicken fajitas, cheese enchiladas, plus all of the fixings such as

guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tortillas, rice, beans, and sopapillas with honey for desert. Your

choice of tea or soft drinks is also included along with tax and tip for the evening. The

price for this meal/evening is - $28.00 per person. Tomatillos also features about 25

different specialty margaritas that you are welcome to try from the bar. Unfortunately, alcohol

is not included in the price!

The room will hold a maximum of 50 people, so if you want to participate, please contact me as

soon as possible to make your reservation. You can contact me at – kathrynbarclay65@aol.com.

We will get you on the list and arrange for payment via credit card. TESTA will be making one

payment to the restaurant since we have to guarantee a minimum sales amount for the meal and

we must finalize our numbers by Wednesday, November 9th so don’t wait. Dining with TESTA is a

great option to avoid the crazy crowds and long waits for a table on Friday night, plus you can’t

eat Mexican much cheaper in San Antonio.

Please reserve your spot by Wednesday,

November 9th so we can give the

restaurant a confirm number. Call or text

Kathryn at 281-460-2026.

Texas Earth Science Teachers Association

All TESTA Presents: Short Courses, Workshops, Share-a-Thons and Rock Raffles will take place in the Convention Center!

TESTA Presents - Short Courses * ticketed event, pre-registration required

Thursday 11/10/16 12:30 to 3:30 PM Meeting Room Level – Room 218

It’s Just A Rock, Or Is It? Presenter: Kathy Barclay

Thursday 11/10/16 12:30 to 3:30 PM Meeting Room Level – Room 212A

Going Loco for Topo? Presenter: Lale Bilir

Friday 11/11/16 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Meeting Room Level – Room 212B

Get Up and Move Presenters: Donna Deerfield and Lisa Stone

Friday 11/11/16 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Meeting Room Level – Room 210A

Moon Phase Mania Presenters: Andy Shaner and Christine Shulpa

Friday 11/11/16 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM Meeting Room Level – Room 210A

Cracking Up - - Plate Tectonics Presenters: Andy Shaner and Christine Shulpa

TESTA Presents – Workshops – open to all CAST attendees!

Thursday 11/10/16 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Meeting Room Level – Room 214A

Water, Water, Where Did You Go? Presenters: Karen Yancey and Laura Stafford

Thursday 11/10/16 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Ballroom Level – Room 217B

Survivor Earth Presenters: Dr. Lisa Brown and Dr. Casey Creghan

Friday 11/11/16 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM Ballroom Level – Room 301A

Texas Through Time: Lone Star Geology, Landscapes, and Resources Presenters: Linda Ruiz McCall and Heather Christensen

Friday 11/11/16 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Meeting Room Level – Room 214A

Shake, Rattle and Roll! A Sweet Lesson in Weathering Presenters: Karen Yancey and Laura Stafford

Friday 11/11/16 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Ballroom Level – Room 301A

Texas Through Time: Lone Star Geology, Landscapes, and Resources Presenters: Linda Ruiz McCall and Heather Christensen

TESTA Presents – Rock Raffle and Share-A-Thon – open to all CAST attendees!

Friday 11/11/16 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Exhibit Hall Food Court

Charles Swift Memorial Rock Raffle

Rocks and fossils galore. Come on in and browse the

samples. Have fun and relax after a busy day.

Saturday 11/12/16 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Ballroom Level Room 301A

TESTA Share-A-Thon

10 to 15 TESTA members all presenting different lessons/labs/activities at once in a marathon session! Come and grab it, get it and go! Open to all CAST attendees!

TESTA Share-A-Thon Presenters

Are still needed!

Come and be a part of CAST instead of just attending! This a great way for our members to

contribute to the professional development offered by TESTA at CAST. This is a great

opportunity for seasoned presenters and for people who would like to “get their feet wet” in

presenting to fellow teachers. If you have a great lesson or demonstration that you have

created and are willing to share it with your fellow teachers, then bring your copies and show

up early at the Share-A-Thon. We need to have between 15 and 20 presenters for this fun

and informative session. We like to describe a share-a-thon as a “come and grab it, get it and

go” as you round-robin around the room viewing and listening to quick explanations on how to do

a classroom designed and proven lesson or activity. Each presenter will get a packet of all of

the items that are being presented during the session.

TESTA is also in need of some members to help run the Share-a-Thon during the session. We

need someone to monitor the door and run the counter as attendees enter the session. We

also need a couple of volunteers to put together the material packets for all of the presenters

and our volunteers. A great big Thank You to everyone who have already contacted me about

presenting at the Share-a-Thon. I look forward to meeting everyone on Saturday!

TESTA Share-A-Thon – Saturday – 10 AM to 11 AM – Ballroom Level 301 A– 10 to 15 TESTA members all presenting different lessons/labs/activities at once in a marathon session! Come and grab it, get it and go! Open to all CAST attend

Rock Raffle is back as we know it but it will be held in a new location this year. We will have

the rock raffle in the food court area on Friday afternoon. TESTA will begin setting up the

specimens about 2 PM with plans for ticket sales to begin at 3 PM. We will plan to start the

actual raffle about 3:45 to give everyone a chance to view the samples and purchase tickets.

The raffle should end around 5 PM and the exhibit hall closes at 6 PM so you will have time to

visit the exhibits afterwards.

At the Rock Raffle, TESTA raffles off up to 100 different draws that consists of rocks,

minerals, fossils, sea shells, sands, books, teaching items, etc. Everything in the raffle has

been donated to TESTA by its members and corporate supporters. This serves as the only

fundraiser for TESTA for the year to please help to support this endeavor. We can always

use donations of items that you know longer have a need for or specimens from your part of

Texas. If your collection is becoming too big, this is a way to weed it out by donating the items

to the raffle and then you can try to win some new items as well!

Most items will be raffled for .25 cents a chance or five tickets for a dollar. We will also have

some special items that will be on the Dollar Table to be raffled off for $1.00 a chance. Be

sure to tell everyone about it and bring along your friends as well. Since we will be in the Food

Court, you will be able to sit and relax, maybe get a drink, while we see who wins all of the cool

stuff this year.

We also need members to volunteer to help set up, run winning bags, and clean up after wards.

Please pitch in and help this year’s raffle be a success!

TESTA Teacher of the Year – Congratulations to Mary Poarch,

Marrs and Verna McLean Master Chair of Science, Saint Mary’s Hall School.

Mary has been selected as the TESTA Teacher of the Year for CAST 2016. An

outstanding science teacher since 1985 and the former Assistant Director of School

Improvement for North East ISD where she was the Pre-K – 12 science program supervisor

for 70 schools, Mary has greatly influence science education in Texas.

Here is her philosophy of science teaching -

I am the Earth Science teacher in an independent school. In a system free from the constraints of state standards and standardized tests, I have been allowed to develop a curriculum that is rich and meaningful for sixth grade students. I have opted for an Earth Systems approach to the course. Using the Next Generation Science Standards and the Physical Systems and Environment and Society strands from the National Geography Standards I am crafting a class that shows the interconnections and interrelationships of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere for my students. We began our study with an examination of the systems/spheres and the effect that events can have on each system. This study included both man-made and natural events. As we explore each system, there is a built-in recursive, spiraling element to tie what was learned before to what is being learned now. This helps demonstrate the connectedness of all parts of our planet to the children. We investigate human impact as we go along; there is no stand-alone environmental unit. I want the students to feel that they are part of our planet. I want them to understand that they can make decisions and take actions (both positive and negative) that have short and long term effects. I want them to understand how our planet works and the part they play in how it works. Educators are critically important in developing the understanding of how the planet Earth works in children. In my role as classroom teacher, it is my responsibility to provide students with the opportunity to learn about our planet, its systems and cycles, and the role humans play on Earth. These opportunities take different forms. Hands-on science investigations are a major part of our classroom practice, but students also have the chance to read, write, research and discuss issues and events occurring in the earth systems. Because my students are 11 – 12 years old, they do not bring especially broad backgrounds to class with them. It is my charge to introduce students to the world around them; both local and global. The use of available connected technologies: Google Earth, online access to experts, citizen science, live streaming media, as well as more traditional media (i.e. videos) are all essential in helping students see and understand a bigger picture of their global home. Providing the experiences is not enough however, I must also engage my students in the conversations necessary to understanding the causes and effects of events in Earth’s systems. I must allow them the opportunity to discuss, argue, come to conclusions and even change their minds about how our world works.

Mary will be recognized during the TESTA dinner with an engraved plaque, $300.00 award

check, a $100.00 gift certificate to WARD’S and complementary tickets to the dinner at

Tomatillos for her and a guest.

Check out the new TESTA website that is being created and updated by Christine Shupla, Education Lead for the Lunar and Planetary Institute. In addition to the web page, TESTA also has a new Yahoo Group that you can join for updates about TESTA – especially nice for when I am tardy on creating Tailings! The web address is: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/TESTA/

Drive Safely to CAST 2016 and come by for a visit at

the booth!

TESTA Membership Renewal -

STAT has stopped taking Affiliate Memberships while registering for the conference.

Please stop by the booth and renew your membership with TESTA while attending CAST.

If you can’t make it or will not be attending CAST this year, please print and send in your

renewal. Membership is still only $10.00 per year and all funds go towards funding the

TESTA activities at CAST, the TESTA Grant, the Teacher of the Year Award, and

supporting the TESTA organization as it represents Earth Science teachers and

interests/concerns statewide at regional conferences, the Science Teachers Association of

Texas (STAT) Board of Directors, the National Earth Science Teachers Association and

with the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, TESTA has provided grant money to the

Houston Gem and Mineral Society to fund their rock and mineral kits that are provided

free of charge to teachers.

New this year, TESTA would like to present “Special Awards” to one student in the Junior

Division and to one student in the Senior Division for “Outstanding Earth/Space Science”

project at the various regional science fairs. The award will consist of a $50.00 gift card

to each student and a $50.00 gift card to that student’s teacher!

We have TESTA members who can help judge and select the awardees for the Houston

Science and Engineering Fair, but we need volunteers for the Dallas Regional Science and

Engineering Fair (February 25, 2017), Central Texas (February 21 – 22, 2017), Fort Worth

Regional Fair (February 19 – 20, 2017). In order to present awards at these fairs, we need

some TESTA members in the area to facilitate this program.

We would also like to include the State Science Fair competition that will be held in San

Antonio in March. TESTA has not found any information for other regional fairs that

qualify students to the State Fair. If we have missed any and you would like TESTA to

consider supporting the fair in your part of Texas, please let us know. There has got to be

fairs in the other parts of Texas but we can’t find them. Please help!

TESTA member

Apply for a TESTA Grant for the 2016 – 2017 School Year!

Do you have a great idea for implementing an Earth Science based lesson

or some new activities into your curriculum but need some money to bring it to life? If

so, you need to apply for up to a $300.00 grant from TESTA!

Criteria for judging and receiving the grant:

Be a current TESTA member.

Financial plan to purchase durable items that can be used multiple times and/or

cross curriculum topics. Consumable items and student travel should be limited or

can be funded via another source.

Impact as many students as possible via classroom lessons and/or science club

activities.

Proposal promotes and enhances the understanding of earth science and its impact

on our community and society.

Agreement to submit a follow up report of the “grant in action” to TESTA for our

publications and archives. (Just give us an update and some photos!)

Funds cannot be used for teacher travel and professional development.

To apply:

1. Provide a description of your plan and how it will be implemented.

2. Provide a detailed budget of what you need to implement the plan.

3. Provide a letter of support for your plan from a school administrator. This can be in

email format!

4. Submit application information to – kathrynbarclay65@aol.com

The University of Houston-Clear Lake, the Southeast Regional T-STEM Center, and the Galveston County Regional Collaborative will be hosting their first joint STEM Conference this spring. Date: Saturday, March 4, 2017 Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Location: University of Houston – Clear Lake Cost: $30 (before January 31, 2017); $35 (Feb 1, 2017 – day of conference) A call for presentations along with registration forms will be distributed later in October. But for now, SAVE THE DATE and tell all your friends!!! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brenda Weiser, weiser@uhcl.edu or Michelle Peters, PetersM@uhcl.edu

Get Involved!

Like almost all organizations, TESTA is only as good as its members who volunteer to serve.

From the members who serve as the TESTA officials to keep things going all year long to

those who just help out each year at CAST, our organization is only as active as we choose it

Mark Your

Calendars!

. Fossil Collecting Field Trip!

Brownwood, TX – March 18, 2017

Explore the Pennsylvanian Period with Lexy

Bieniek, TESTA President, and the Paleo Section of the

Houston Gem and Mineral Society. We will study the

formation of sedimentary rocks and use fossils to learn

about the Pennsylvanian environment in Texas. Fossils can

be collected for the classroom. Experts will also be

available to identify those fossils. CTE hours will be

given.

Bring ziplock bags, hand shovels, hammers, note cards/book and sharpies

We will meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Brownwood,

Texas 76801 at 9 am on March 18. For more on this field

trip, visit HGMS.org punch field trips. Please let Lexy

know you are coming at 936-520-3907 or Kathryn at 281-

460-2026

Hope to see you there!

Save the Dates! Are you interested in bringing cutting-edge technology, new geologic discoveries, and career pathways for your students – right here in Texas! - into your classroom?

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists invites middle and high school teachers to help celebrate its 100th anniversary! April 1-4, 2017 George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas Planned Activities at the 2017 Annual Conference and Exhibition: Geologic Field Trip

Spend a day in the field with University of Houston geoscience faculty investigating local geology. Channel your inner geoscientist: make observations, apply field methods, analyze data, and interpret findings. Symposium

Join colleagues for a day of interactive sessions exploring emerging fields, advances in technology, and careers. Discussions will highlight data, resources, and ways to bring content into the classroom. Sessions sampling:

Robotic exploration from ocean depths to desert plains

Exploration and technology advances that increase

efficiency and reduce environmental impact

STEM careers of the future

AAPG Annual Conference and Exhibition

A reduced registration rate will be available to middle- and high-school participants. Additional conference opportunities range from technology demonstrations at local companies to guided walking tours of Houston building geology. Connect with an Industry Professional

Are you interested in participating in the conference but don’t know where to start? Do you want to connect with an industry professional to learn more about geosciences, careers, and technology during – and

after – the conference? Take advantage of conference opportunities to get to know an industry professional.

More details and final agenda coming soon at http://ace.aapg.org/2017 Visit the AAPG 2017 Share-A-Thon at CAST 2016 to learn more!

TESTA Leadership -

Elected Officers:

President - Alexia Bieniek

Vice - President - Kathryn Barclay - Fort Bend ISD

Secretary - Vacant

Treasurer - Lisa Stone - Fort Bend ISD

Appointed Positions:

Membership Chair - Lale Bilir - Fort Bend ISD

Rock Raffle Chair - Vernon Dye - Waco ISD

Webmaster - Christine Shupla - LPI

Board of Directors:

Gail Gant - St. Johns School - Houston, TX

Dr. Linda Knight - Retired - Dallas, TX

Contact Us!

www.texasearthscienceteachers@aol.com

The Texas Earth Science Teach-

ers Association is a nonprofit

501(c)(3) educational organization,

founded in 1984, whose mission is

to facilitate and advance excel-

lence in Earth and Space Science

education. NESTA's purpose is

the advancement, stimulation, ex-

tension, improvement, and coordi-

nation of Earth Science education

at all educational levels. TESTA is

an organization made up of and

governed by classroom teachers,

and extends its influence through

association with other profession-

al societies and organizations. We

always welcome new members -

Join TESTA today!

“If you teach science on Earth,

you are an Earth Science

Teacher!”

Be on the lookout

for our post-CAST

Tailings…

More will be coming

later!