Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | dailyrepublic.com

By Todd R. Hansen

Students in Rick Moehrke’s third- and fourth-grade classes at Markham or Cooper elementary schools likely remember his in-class, silkworm demonstrations.

It was his way to give the students a peek into the natural world Moehrke has been lured to since he was a youngster.

So it should be no surprise that with a chance meeting with Clay Ford, operator of Clay’s Bees and owner of Pleasants Valley Honey Company, that Moehrke would be stung by another curiosity – bees.

Source: Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | News | dailyrepublic.com

Officials invite public to Office of Education science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

The 2023 Solano County Science and Engineering Fair will be open to community members Thursday in McCormack Hall on the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo.

The event celebrates students’ achievements in science and engineering projects, work that can prove to be pathways into careers.

Solano County students in third through 12th grades were encouraged to enter this competition. Top middle and high school winners will be eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair in April.

Source: Officials invite public to Office of Education science, engineering fair

Water Institute for Teachers starts 2nd year on Wednesday – Daily Republic

The second Solano Water Institute for Teachers will take place Aug. 3-5 and includes visits to Solano County parks and open spaces, as well as a boat tour of Lake Berryessa.

The institute, put on by the Solano Resource Conservation District, “is an intensive three-day workshop designed to support K-12 educators in teaching watershed science and land preservation from a locally relevant perspective.”

“We’re looking forward to another successful program this year,” says Marianne Butler, education director for Solano Resource Conservation District. “Our place-based learning experiences help educators teach environmental science by connecting students to the place they live. Making that connection helps students develop a sense of stewardship for local natural resources. We’ve found that using our local parks and open spaces as laboratories make the subject relevant and encourages youth to explore parks and open spaces on their own.”

Source: Water Institute for Teachers starts 2nd year on Wednesday

Always Something To Celebrate – Times-Herald

Parents and community members celebrated students’ achievements and viewed their projects online during the Virtual Science and Engineering Fair, March 17, followed by a virtual awards ceremony.

“The Science and Engineering Fair is an excellent opportunity for our elementary, middle, and high school students to apply science and engineering skills to investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop intelligent conclusions. Through this event, we hope to inspire more students to consider a career in science, engineering, or a related field,” said Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.

Source: April 14 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Always Something To Celebrate – Times-Herald

Vanden High, Green Valley Middle schools shine at Solano Science Fair – Daily Republic

Parents and community members celebrated students’ achievements and viewed their projects online Thursday during the Virtual Science and Engineering Fair, followed by a virtual awards ceremony.

“The Science and Engineering Fair is an excellent opportunity for our elementary, middle and high school students to apply science and engineering skills to investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop intelligent conclusions,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a press release. “Through this event, we hope to inspire more students to consider a career in science, engineering or a related field.”

Source: Vanden High, Green Valley Middle schools shine at Solano Science Fair

SSPI Announces 2022 PAEMST Finalists – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored six outstanding mathematics and science teachers today who are finalists from California for the 2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

“These teachers have persevered through the challenges of the past year and are prime examples of excellence in the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math to their students,” Thurmond said. “Their incredible efforts inspire STEM and computer science students to think creatively and critically in the classroom in preparation for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The PAEMST program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Presidential Award recipients are honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 special award from the NSF.

Source: SSPI Announces 2022 PAEMST Finalists – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Entrants sought for Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair – The Vacaville Reporter

Got science?

Registration for the Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair competition is open.

The Solano County Office of Education’s countywide competition has three divisions: elementary school (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Each division has three categories: Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science.

Students’ projects will be reviewed and judged by representatives from various universities.

Source: Entrants sought for Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair – The Vacaville Reporter

Registration begins for virtual science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

Registration for the Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair competition is open.

The Solano County Office of Education’s countywide competition has three divisions: elementary school (third through fifth grades), middle school (sixth through eighth grades and high school (ninth through 12th grades). Each division has three categories: Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science.

Students’ projects will be reviewed and judged by representatives from various universities. Top middle and high school winners will be eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair in April.

Source: Registration begins for virtual science, engineering fair

Science & Engineering Fair (Grades 3-12) 2022: Solano County | Dixon, CA Patch

By Susan c. Schena

Solano Science and Engineering (STEM) Fair

  • Entry deadline: Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 – 3 p.m.
  • Project submission deadline: Friday, March 4, 2022 – 6 p.m.
  • Virtual Awards Ceremony: Thursday, March 17, 2022 – 6 p.m.

Awards ceremony on Zoom via Solano County Office of Education, Fairfield, CA

From Solano County Office of Education:

“Solano County Office of Education is hosting another Solano County Science and Engineering Fair competition on March 17, 2021.

“The youth event seeks to develop inquiry and problem-solving skills among students, ignite a passion for science and engineering and better prepare youth for STEM and related careers.

Source: Feb 25 | Entry Deadline: Science & Engineering Fair (Grades 3-12) 2022: Solano County | Dixon, CA Patch

Solano County Science and Engineering Fair competition returning to in-person format – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County Office of Education is hosting a Solano County Science and Engineering Fair competition on March 17, 2022. The youth event seeks to develop inquiry and problem solving skills among students, ignite a passion for science and engineering and better prepare youth for STEM and related careers.

The fair will be returning to an in-person format and all Solano County students grades 3-12 are invited to enter the competition.

Visit solanocoe.net/sciencefair to complete the entry form and view the Science and Engineering Fair information packet to learn more about the competition. The application deadline is 3 p.m. Feb. 25.

Source: Solano County Science and Engineering Fair competition returning to in-person format – The Vacaville Reporter

In-person Science and Engineering Fair returns in 2022 – Daily Republic

The Solano County Science and Engineering Fair is again going to be an in-person competition open to elementary, middle and high school students.

The fair is slated for March 17. Visit solanocoe.net/sciencefair to complete the entry form and view the information packet to learn more about the competition. The application deadline is 3 p.m. Feb. 25.

“Now more than ever, it is vital that our elementary, middle and high school students have opportunities to apply science and engineering skills, investigate theories, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop potential conclusions,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement. The Solano County Office of Education “aspires to motivate more students to explore careers in science, engineering or related fields.”

Source: In-person Science and Engineering Fair returns in 2022

Inaugural Solano Water Institute for teachers makes waves in science education – Daily Republic

The Solano Resource Conservation District hosted the first three-day Solano Water Institute for Teachers early this month at various sites throughout Solano County and at Lake Berryessa.

The new teacher workshop provided 27 Solano County educators with knowledge, skills and tools to help them teach watershed science and land preservation from a locally relevant perspective.

The Solano Water Institute featured presentations from nine local and state experts on water resources, open spaces and climate change with conversations integrating Project WET, an award-winning environmental education curriculum created by the Water Education Foundation.

Source: Inaugural Solano Water Institute for teachers makes waves in science education

Dixon High to present farm-to-fork proposal to school board – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

The farm-to-fork movement, which promotes the serving of ingredients often sourced directly from or other food producer at restaurants or school cafeterias, has continued to make gains in recent years. More eateries have adopted farm-to-fork approaches, and even Dixon High School could be offering courses for its students.

At least that’s what Principal Stephanie Marquez and Miranda Will, a career technical education teacher on special assignment are proposing. They will be presenting their proposal at Thursday’s school board meeting.

The farm-to-fork courses would serve as a replacement to the school’s current culinary program, which is currently offered trough the Family Consumer Science Department. The present program has two courses, the first of which teaches students the basics of food and preparing meals and the second of which teaches students to preserve and market foods and even open “businesses” to sell their items to students and teachers, per the DHS 2019-20 school catalog.

Source: Dixon High to present farm-to-fork proposal to school board – The Reporter

Benicia High student tops all others at science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

Allison McCabe, a Benicia High School student, was the overall winner of the recent 2021 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.

McCabe also took first in the Physical Science category in the Senior Division, in which high school students competed. There were also Elementary (third through fifth grades and Junior (sixth through eighth grades) divisions. McCabe is a sophomore.

“Our goal is to inspire more students to consider a career in science, engineering or a related field. The fair is an excellent opportunity for our elementary, middle and high school students to apply science and engineering skills to investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop conclusions. Events like the Science and Engineering Fair have the potential to spark a lifelong interest in a related field.” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement announcing the winners.

Source: Benicia High student tops all others at science, engineering fair

SCOE names winners in science, engineering competition – The Reporter

Students of all ages throughout Solano County put their scientific and engineering skills to the test, and many walked away with top prizes in Solano County Office of Education’s Science and Engineering Fair.

Held virtually this year, with an award ceremony that was held Tuesday, the competition had students put together engineering and science projects, which were judged by representatives from different universities.

Students are broken off into three divisions: elementary for third through fifth-graders, junior for sixth through eighth-graders and senior for ninth through 12th-graders. The top winners in the competition are eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair, which is slated for April 12 to 13 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

Source: SCOE names winners in science, engineering competition – The Reporter

Vacaville, Solano College at center of new biomanufacturing hub – Daily Republic

By Todd R. Hansen

About 60 students graduate from the Solano Community College Biotechnology program each year.

One course of study added this semester is the Cell and Gene Therapy certificate program – the first of its kind in the country for a community college.

Vacaville and the college took a step Thursday by signing an agreement that officials hope will result in a rapid growth in the college’s programs and provide thousands of job opportunities in the coming decades.

Source: Vacaville, Solano College at center of new biomanufacturing hub

Imagine That! program provides learning, socialization – Daily Republic

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Imagine That!, a science, technology, engineering, arts and math museum for children of all ages, has turned its main exhibit area into a classroom hosting 30 kindergartners through sixth-graders.

The desks are separated by 6 feet, temperatures are checked daily and all wear a mask.

When it’s time for recess, the children are welcome to explore some of the exhibits and take a spin on The Spinner, which is comparable to having your own merry-go-round.

Source: Imagine That! program provides learning, socialization

Dixon science teacher offers virtual lessons as classrooms are closed – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

As the global coronavirus outbreak has forced schools to close, many teachers have had to adapt to virtual learning. Peggy Harte, a science teacher at Gretchen Higgins Elementary School in Dixon, wanted to make sure students were continuing to learn important science lessons while also getting outside.

Harte set up a lab through the platform iNaturalist to enable students to document the various plant and animal species they find.

“So much of the research shows that just physically being outside helps people’s stress levels, helps people’s emotional needs as well just being in an outdoor space,” she said. “With all the stress that these little kids are under, I thought it was just a simple way for students to go outside, engage in some science and be able to feel like they’re contributing while still being in their own backyard.”

Source: Dixon science teacher offers virtual lessons as classrooms are closed – The Reporter

Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test – Times-Herald

By Sydney Johnson

At a time when California is placing a greater emphasis on science education, most students did not score at a proficient level on the state’s new science test, with scores especially low among several student groups.

The results of the test were released this week. They represent the first scores on the California Science Test, a new test developed by the California Department of Education, to measure progress on the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by California in 2013.

Source: Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test – Times-Herald

Dixon Montessori students become citizen scientists at Suisun Marsh – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Sixth-graders at Dixon Montessori Charter School (DMCS) became botanists, geologists, hydrologists and ornithologists all over the course of one morning Thursday as they did activities at the Suisun Marsh.

They were among nearly 2,000 sixth and seventh-graders to visit this month as part of the Solano Resource Conservation District’s Watershed Education Program. The youths hike through the largest brackish water marsh on the West Coast and learn about wildlife, plant life, soil and water, as well as ways to protect it from pollution. Along the way, they perform numerous activities and record data.

Source: Dixon Montessori students become citizen scientists at Suisun Marsh – The Reporter