Winter 2011/2012 RPSEC Spectrum

Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics!

Winter 2011-2012In This Issue:

Tis the Season andSpring Break Camps

Page 1

Student ProgramsPage 2

Future City andTraveling Science

Page 3

Masters Program,Ruth Patrick Award andToys for Tots

Page 4

Planetarium Page 5

Adopt an AnimalPage 6

Galactic GuardiansPage 7

SEED and R. Alexander Award

Page 8

Science Fair andSTEP

Page 9

Science Store andCamp Invention

Page 10

USC Aiken . 471 University Pkwy471 University Pkwy . Aiken, SC 29801Aiken, SC 29801 . 803-641-3313 . http://rpsec.usca.edu/http://rpsec.usca.edu/

@ USC Aiken

For more information visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/springbreak

discovery campsRUTH PATRICK SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER

April 2-6SPRING BREAK 2012

grades K-5

Celebrate the Holiday Season in theDuPont Planetarium!

Join us for a delightful show about the season that holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. ‘Tis the Season traces the development of many endearing holiday customs and how they light up our lives during the darkest time of the year. The show explains the science behind the winter solstice and Earth’s seasons, and it ex-plores possible astronomical explanations for the Star of Bethlehem.

‘Tis the Season is one of our most popular, longest run-ning shows. Many families come back year after year to rediscover the Christmas spirit through this holiday tradi-

tion. Make your reservations soon for public showings of ‘Tis the Season on any of the dates below:

December 3, 10, 12 at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. December 17, 19, 26 at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

You may also schedule a private showing of ‘Tis the Season (or any other planetarium program) by calling 641-3313.

RPSEC Spectrum Page 2Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics!

K-12 Student ProgramsThis year a record number of K-12 students will visit the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with their teachers. The RPSEC Student Programs staff has developed several new programs this year in response to teacher requests. New programs include Under the Sea, Method to the Madness, Journey to the Center of an Atom, Kinesthetic Astronomy, Two Small Pieces of Glass, and Worlds in Motion. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center currently offers 52 hands-on, in-quiry-based programs. All of our programs are aligned with South Carolina and Georgia academic standards, and many of our programs are interdisciplinary. Our Student Programs website includes program descriptions, standards cor-relations, and related Traveling Science and Mathematics Kits that support and extend each lesson. These kits contain excellent post-visit activities and are available, free of charge, for checkout. To reserve a kit, go to http://rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/ or call (803) 641-3683. The deadline has passed for reservation requests for the 2011-2012 school year. Once again, we received many more requests than we will be able to serve, and our schedule is now full. We are unable to schedule additional programs at this time, but will be happy to place your request on a waiting list in the event of a cancellation. To download a reservation request form, please go tohttp://rpsec.usca.edu/student/.

Grant from Wells Fargo Enables Student VisitsThanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo, every eighth grade student from Aiken Middle School visited the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center for a series of hands-on programs in September 2011.

The grant paid for RPSEC program fees and transportation for 591 student vis-its. The visits featured hands-on, inquiry-based programs aligned with eighth grade earth science, physical science, and mathematics standards.

The students enjoyed visiting the planetarium for the “Mission to Mars” show. Launch videos propelled them from Earth; then they zoomed through space and watched a NASA animation of a rover landing on Mars. They were able to view Mars from Earth, from the Hubble telescope, from Voyager, from space-craft still orbiting Mars, and from the cameras of the rovers on the surface of Mars. They compared surface features, landforms and rock types on Mars

with Earth’s geology and viewed the Martian night sky using NASA images and our Digistar projector. The program concluded with a look at the night sky and some of the stories behind the constellations.

During the “Are You Dense?” class, the students investigated density as they predicted, measured, and ordered the masses of Earth materials including mineral samples, water, sand, and iron filings. They worked in teams to take measurements, collect data, and graph the relationship between a substance’s volume and mass.

The students also had an opportunity to examine properties of miner-als, use a field guide, and handle museum quality mineral specimens; then they identified 10 unknown minerals using a dichotomous key in the “Minerals, Ores, and Fossil Fuels” program. Valuable products made from earth resources were discussed throughout the class.

Many thanks to Judith Goodwin from the USCA Advancement Of-fice and to Melissa Kidd, the eighth grade science teacher at Aiken Middle School, for helping us make this experience possible!

Thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo, every eighth grade student from Aiken Middle School visited the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center for


South Carolina and Georgia SchoolsParticipate in the

2011-2012 South CarolinaRegional Future City Competition

The mission of the National Engineers Week Future City Competi-tion is to provide a fun and exciting educational engineering pro-gram for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. This program combines a stimulating engineering challenge with a hands-on application as students present their vision of a city of the fu-ture.

Participating Schools

FREE Teacher Resources and VisitingScientists Available

The Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program has over 300 science and math kits available for use in the classroom. Supplement your curriculum with na-

tionally recognized and state adopted exemplary materials. Kits have been correlated to SC state standards. Many kits contain children’s literature so that you can integrate your science and language arts lessons.

In addition to these resources, you can request a visiting Scientists with Traveling Re-sources and Neat Demonstrations (STRAND) volunteer for classroom presentations.

For more informationplease visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/

or call us at 803-641-3683.

Aiken Area Home EducatorsAiken Middle SchoolAlcorn Middle SchoolAshley HallBanks Trail Middle SchoolBlackville Hilda Jr. HighBluffton Middle SchoolBlythewood Middle SchoolBryson Middle SchoolCarver-Edisto Middle SchoolChapin Middle SchoolE. L. Wright Middle School

Edgewood Middle SchoolFelton Laboratory SchoolJefferson Davis AcademyJET Middle SchoolKennedy Middle SchoolLBC Middle SchoolMerriwether Middle SchoolNew Ellenton Middle SchoolNorth Augusta Middle SchoolPalmetto Middle SchoolPaul Knox Middle SchoolSt. Mary on the Hill Catholic SchoolW.A. Perry School of Aerospace

The SC Regional Future City Competition is sponsored by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and Savannah River Site Education Outreach Programs. For more information visit http://futurecity.org/


Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award Presented to Debra Rood

The 2010-2011 Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award was presented to Deb-ra Rood at the Aiken County School Board meeting in October. Debra is a teacher at New Ellenton Middle School, where she strives to help her students understand abstract science con-cepts and make connections between the science they study in school and the real world.

Since 2006 this prestigious award has been presented annually to a K-12 educator who has demonstrated a keen interest in math-ematics and science and has been effective in providing meaning-

ful learning for K-12 students. This award recognizes a teacher in the CSRA who demonstrates a passion for teaching and infusing a

love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Masters Degree in EducationalTechnology

Earn Your USCA Degree OnlineDo you enjoy using your computer? Do others ask you how to do something on their computers? Do you enjoy showing to others something new on your com-puter? Have you considered getting a masters degree? Then maybe it is time for you to consider the Masters of Education in Educational Technology (MEd Tech). The MEd Tech program at University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the University of South Caroli-na (USC) Columbia is accepting applications for enrollment. For more information visit http://edtech.usca.edu/.

The focus of the program is to develop capabilities essential to the effective design, evaluation, and delivery of technol-ogy-based instruction and training (e.g., software develop-ment, multimedia development, assistive technology modifi-cations, web-based development, and distance learning) in order to (1) prepare educators to assume leadership roles in the integration of educational technology into the school

curriculum, and (2) to provide graduate-level instructional op-portunities for several populations (e.g., classroom teachers,

corporate trainers, educational software developers) that need to acquire both technological competencies and understanding of

sound instructional design principles and techniques. Anyone interested in enrolling in this program

should contact Karen Morris at 803-641-3489.

Foundational Core Courses (6 hours)Foundational Core Courses (6 hours)AERM/EDRM 700 – Introduction to Research in EducationAEET/EDET 709 – Applications of Learning PrinciplesDesign Courses (15 hours)Design Courses (15 hours)AEET/EDET 603 – Design and Development Tools IAEET/EDET 703 – Design and Development Tools IIAEET/EDET 722 – Instructional Design and AssessmentAEET/EDET 755 – Design and Evaluation of Information Access and DeliveryAEET/EDET 793 – Advanced Instructional Design and DevelopmentTechnology Core Courses (12 hours)Technology Core Courses (12 hours)AEET/EDET 650 – Internship in Educational TechnologyAEET/EDET 735 – Technological Applications for Diverse PopulationsAEET/EDET 746 – Management of Technology ResourcesAEET/EDET 780 – Seminar in Educational TechnologyElectives (3 hours chosen from the following courses)Electives (3 hours chosen from the following courses)AEET/EDET 652 – Design and Evaluation of Games and SimulationsAETE 731 – Instructional and Informational

Applications of Technology orEDTE 731 – Integration of Technology and

Instruction SLIS 706 – Introduction to Information

TechnologiesTSTM 790 – Advanced Study in Technology

Support/Training Management

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the USCA Classified Em-ployee Assembly have again joined together to support the Annual Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program.

USCA faculty, staff, and students as well as local residents are encouraged to bring in a new, unwrapped toy to the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center during regular business hours. The deadline for donations is De-cember 14th.


lanetarium Public Show Schedule

General ShowsAdults $4.50 • Seniors $3.50

4K - 12th Grade $2.50

Digistar ShowsAdults $5.50 • Seniors $4.50

4K - 12th Grade $3.50USCA Staff / Students $1.00

For more information please visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/

Schedule for Public Planetarium Shows December 2011 – August 2012

Dates Show Names Show Times

2011 December 3, 10, 12 ‘Tis the Season 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2011 December 17, 19, 23, 26 ‘Tis the Season 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 p.m.

2012 January 7, 14, 21, 28 *An*An* cient Sky LoreDigistar “Laser“Laser“ ” Fantasy

7:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.

2012 February 4, 11, 18, 25 Follow the Drinking Gourd 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2012 March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Mission to Mars(Mars at Opposition on 3/3) 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2012 April 7, 14, 21, 28Earth & Sky Night 4/28

To the Moon and Beyond(40th anniversary Apollo 16) 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2012 May 5, 12, 19, 26 Two Small Pieces Of GlassMore Than Meets the Eye

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2012 June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 * Solar System Adventure 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.

2012 July 7, 14, 21, 28 In My BackyardDigistar “Laser“Laser“ ” Fantasy

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

2012 August 4, 11, 18, 25 Follow the Drinking GourdDigistar Virtual Journey

8:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

* New shows at the DuPont Planetarium

Special EventsSpring Earth & Sky Night and National Astronomy Day: April 28, 2012Transit of Venus: June 5, 2012

Descriptions of New ShowsAncient Sky Lore: In this live show, the presenter points out constellations and stars while sharing enchanting tales involving heroes and maidens, herdsmen and a harp, real and imaginary animals. Star stories from ancient cultures come to life on the planetarium dome!

Solar System Adventure: Become a Planet Specialist, Math Expert or Flight Engineer while your planetarium “spaceship” takes you on an educational adventure past the Sun, Moon and planets of our Solar System. We need you to have a successful mission!


Thank You to Our 2011 Adopt an Animal Sponsors!The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is grateful for the sup-port of the following 2011 Adopt an Animal sponsors:

• Barred Owl- ADOPTED by Eugene and Anne Sawyer• American Alligator- ADOPTED by Preston Tiffany• Corn Snake- ADOPTED by the Bernard Family• Albino Corn Snake- ADOPTED by Tristan Davis• Box Turtle- ADOPTED by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Perrine• Snapping Turtle- ADOPTED by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ferrell• Painted Turtle- ADOPTED by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Perrine• Red-Eared Slider Turtle- ADOPTED by Anna Flaherty• Barking Tree Frog- ADOPTED by Drs. Carol and Bob Botsch• Tiger Salamander- ADOPTED by Robert Flaherty

Adopt an Animal Program 2012

The RPSEC is looking for sponsors to help support the cost of feeding and caring for the ani-mals used in our K-12 educational programs for one year beginning in January 2012. Donationsare tax deductible. For more information, please contact Deborah McMurtrie at [email protected] or (803) 641-2834.

BIRDSBarred Owl (Strix varia) Non-releasable male, Raleigh ................................$500Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) red phase male, Winston ....................$300Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) grey phase female, Salem .................. $300

REPTILES: CROCODILIANSAmerican Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) female, hatched 2009, Caroline ..$250American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) male, hatched 2009, Tex ..........$250

REPTILES: SNAKESEastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) ........................................ $100Grey Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) ..............................................$100Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata)................................................................. $100Albino Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ........................................................$100

REPTILES: TURTLESBox Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) ................................................... $75Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) ..................................................... $75Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) ..................................................... $75Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) ................................................... $75Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) .................................... $75Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta) ................................ $75

AMPHIBIANSBarking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa) ............................................................ $50Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) .............................................................. $50Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolora) ............................................................ $50Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)) ........................................... $50Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) .............................................................. $50Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) ............................................ $50Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) .................................................. $50


Become a Galactic Guardian for 2012 Become a Galactic Guardian for 2012 Become a Galactic Guardian for 2012 How would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic GuardHow would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic GuardHow would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic Guard---ian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a carian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a carian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a car---ing person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the ing person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the ing person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the next year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support pronext year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support pronext year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support pro---gramming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with your tax-gramming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with your tax-gramming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with your tax-deductible donation. For more information, please call the main office deductible donation. For more information, please call the main office deductible donation. For more information, please call the main office at 803-641-3313 or email [email protected] 803-641-3313 or email [email protected] 803-641-3313 or email [email protected].

$400 level: 1. Sun 2. Moon 3. Milky Way Planets: 4. Mercury 5. Venus 6. Earth 7. Mars 8. Jupiter 9. Saturn 10. Uranus 11. Neptune 12. Pluto (Dwarf $399.99)

$150 level: Zodiac Constellations: 13. Virgo 14. Libra 15. Scorpius 16. Ophiuchus 17. Sagittarius 18. Capricornus 19. Aquarius 20. Pisces 21. Aries 22. Taurus 23. Gemini 24. Cancer 25. Leo

$100 level: Special Constellations: 26. Andromeda the Princess 27. Aquilla the Eagle 28. Auriga the Charioteer 29. Bootes the Herdsman 30. Canis Major the Big Dog 31. Canis Minor the Little Dog 32. Cassiopeia the Queen 33. Cepheus the King

34. Crux the Southern Cross 35. Cygnus the Swan, Northern Cross 36. Draco the Dragon 37. Hercules 38. Lyra the Harp 39. Orion the Hunter 40. Pegasus the Flying Horse 41. Perseus the Hero 42. Ursa Major, Big Dipper 43. Ursa Minor, Little Dipper

$75 level: Galaxies and Nebulae: 44. Cat’s Eye Nebula, NGC 6543 45. Cat’s Paw, NGC 6914 46. Crab Nebula, M1 47. Dumbbell Nebula, M27 48. Flame Nebula, NGC 2024 49. Helix Nebula. NGC 7293 50. Horsehead Nebula B33, IC434 51. Horseshoe Nebula, M17 52. Lagoon Nebula, M8 53. Orion Nebula, M42 54. Owl Nebula, M97 55. Pillars of Creation (M16) 56. Ring Nebula, M57 57. Rosette Nebula, NGC 2237 58. Seagull Nebula, IC2177 59. Stellar Spire (M16) 60. Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070 61. Trifid Nebula, M20 62. Andromeda Galaxy, M31 63. Black Eye Galaxy, M64 64. “Cigar” Galaxy, M82 65. Pinwheel Galaxy, M101 66. Sombrero Galaxy, M104 67. Sunflower Galaxy, M63 68. Tadpole Galaxy, UGC 10214 69. Whirlpool Galaxy, M51

$50 level: Other Constellations: 70. Centaurus 71. Cetus the Sea Monster 72. Columba the Dove 73. Corona the Crown 74. Corvus the Crow 75. Delphinus the Dolphin 76. Lepus the Hare 77. Monoceros the Unicorn 78. Sagitta the Arrow

Stars and Star Clusters: 79. Albireo, a double star 80. Beehive cluster 81. Alcor & Mizor, double stars 82. Hercules globular cluster 83. Pleiades, the Seven Sisters 84. Polaris, the North Star

Brightest Stars: 85. Aldebaran 86. Altair 87. Antares 88. Arcturus 89. Betelguese 90. Capella 91. Castor 92. Deneb 93. Fomalhaut 94. Pollux 95. Procyon 96. Regulus 97. Rigel 98. Sirius 99. Spica 100. Vega


26th Annual Science EducationEnrichment Day (SEED)All Time Attendance RECORD

The 26th Annual SEED offered the community over 55 science and mathematics related exhib-its and activities hosted by business, industry and school organizations. Visitors had the chance to make their own paper, build straw towers, make slime, learn about satellite communications, in-teract with Ft. Gordon soldiers and much more. Students also had the chance to test their skills with SEED trivia, completing math puzzles and exploring other thought-provoking exhib-its. Over 3300 people attended this year’s event.

Thank you to our Platinum and Presenting Sponsors!

Everitt Named the Dr. Robert AlexanderOutstanding Administrator of the Year

Dr. Elizabeth Everitt, Superintendent of Aiken County Schools, received the Dr. Robert E. Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award at the October Aiken County School Board meeting. The award is named after the retired USC Aiken chan-cellor and is presented to a school administrator who promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics educa-tion. Dr. Everitt has championed the importance of partnering within and across schools, with the community and with post-secondary colleagues to increase student achievement for all students. Everitt states that by sharing our expertise, resources and passion in science, math and technology, we can help our students be prepared for the workforce and college.


CSRA Science and Engineering FairSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, in partnership with the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, once again proudly sponsors the Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The 2012 event will take place at USCA on Saturday, March 10, 2012. First place winning projects by 4th through 12th graders from Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) public, private and home schools are invited to enter. Projects are judged for scientific reasoning, creative ability, thor-oughness, technical skill and clarity. As in the past, judging will be performed by scientific, engineering and other technical professionals from SRS, SREL, USCA and the surrounding community. The science fair promotes students’ interest by providing public recognition of outstanding work and by giving stu-dents the opportunity to interact with community scientists. Lots of great prizes will be given dur-ing the awards ceremony. For additional informa-tion, contact Kim Mitchell, SRS Education Outreach Programs, at [email protected] or 803-952-8782.

Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Territory:

The Georgia counties of Columbia, Burke, Richmond, Lin-coln, Wilkes, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie, Eman-

uel, Jenkins, and Glascock

The South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Saluda, Hampton, Bamberg, and McCormick

Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP)The Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) is a co-

operative effort between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Silver Bluff Audubon Center, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Cen-

ter. Two field trip locations for STEP include the Savannah River Site and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center. At each location, STEP students utilize classroom and outdoor laboratories to conduct scientific inves-tigations on topics such as water and soil ecology, wildlife, forestry, archaeology, navigation and more. For program information please visit the STEP website @ http://rpsec.usca.edu/step/.

NOTE: To visit the Savannah River Site, there are specific procedures that must be followed two weeks prior to your visit for badging purposes.


Looking for thatperfect holiday gift?Visit the Science Store @ the

Ruth Patrick ScienceEducation Center.

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center Newsletter is a publication of the RPSEC for our patrons. The RPSEC housed at the University of South Carolina Aiken encompasses the Center of Excellence in Edu-cational Technology (CEET), DuPont Planetarium, RPSEC Student Programs, RPSEC Professional Develop-ment, Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program (TSMDP), the Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP), and Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teach-ing (CE- MIST). If you have any information that would be beneficial to the audience of this newsletter, or if you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact John Hutchens, Editor, at 803-641-3474 or via email to [email protected]. Deadline for submission in the next newsletter is March 2, 2012.

In partnership with:

United States Patent

and Trademark Office

www 800.968.4332

The Camp Invention

program is a weeklong

summer experience in

creativity led by local

educators that provides

educational enrichment

through exciting,

hands-on activities.

<Text Here>

presents...

MARKYOUR

CALENDARS!June 18-22, 2012

http://www.campinvention.org/

The science store is open during public shows at the DuPont Planetarium. The store is alsoopen for visiting groups. Please call 803-641-3313 to make arrangements to visit the store.

Documents

Winter 2011/2012 RPSEC Spectrum