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Richard Varner Male Greenbelt, MD United States: Share on Facebook Share Twitter

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Richard Varner's Discussions

There's an App For That!
3 Replies

Tags: devices, mobile, astronomy, technology, app

Started this discussion. Last reply by Rebecca Lawson Mar 26, 2012.

Thoughts on Integrating Technology
9 Replies

When I signed up to join MSP2 on March 18, 2010, Davilla Riddle welcomedme and posed an interesting question...color:#333333"">For…Continue

Tags: community, learning, technology, integrating

Started this discussion. Last reply by Rebecca Lawson Apr 2, 2010.

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Richard Varner posted a blog post

NASA/LPI Art Contest with Space Appeal

In addition to the STEM movement, advocates of the arts have introduced STEAM to include the arts in the processing of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts. While many STEM teachers have introduced art based projects in their classes most do not consider their efforts in support of art outcomes. If you are one of these art inclusive teachers or you'd like to engage the arts in your work in the sciences, here is a contest being offered by LPI (Lunar & Planetary…See More

Oct 17, 2012

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Richard Varner replied to Richard Varner's discussion NASA professional development topics would you like to see offered? in the group Science

"Good Point Nenita. I just met with the MA Governor's STEM Council in Canton, MA and they have divided their state into regional STEM groups that are attacking this very strategy in addition to many others that are more far reaching.…"

Jun 14, 2012

Nenita A Malaluan replied to Richard Varner's discussion NASA professional development topics would you like to see offered? in the group Science

"I am speaking for myself but I am hoping that more educators would be interested in it. Most of us science teachers are into STEM and we need more lessons and resources that will help us integrate science, technology/design/engineering, and…"

Jun 13, 2012

Richard Varner replied to Jurema Nicole Gorham's discussion Structuring Science Curriculum for Middle School Science

"Great suggestion Jessica "

May 22, 2012

Richard Varner replied to Jurema Nicole Gorham's discussion Structuring Science Curriculum for Middle School Science

"Jurema, While there are certainly philosophical arguments for both sides of the spiraling curriculum debate, I would look first to your district and state curriculum outcomes for guidance. You may wish to look at the new Science Frameworks as…"

May 21, 2012

Rebecca Lawson replied to Richard Varner's discussion There's an App For That!

"WOW! This is really exciting! Thank you so much for sharing. I will share with my science teacher friends. Rebecca"

Mar 26, 2012

Richard Varner replied to Richard Varner's discussion There's an App For That!

"There is a new app on the http://www.transitofvenus.org/ site for citizen science data collection during the upcoming Venus Transit June 4th. Along with old and new activities related to studying the sun and mathematical calculations that…"

Mar 22, 2012

Louise McMinn replied to Richard Varner's discussion There's an App For That!

"Thanks Rick - This list is a good starting point. New Apps are coming on daily - it is so hard to keep up!"

Mar 21, 2012

Richard Varner posted a discussion

There's an App For That!

Astronomy teachers rejoice!There are a great number of technology resources for the study of astronomy. To make it easier to locate the right app for your needs, this past December the American Astronomical Society posted a catalog of the known applications for mobile devices.ttp://astronomyonline.org/PDFs/iPhoneApps.pdfSee More

Jan 30, 2012

3 Comments

Richard Varner added a discussion to the group Science

NASA professional development topics would you like to see offered?

I am an education specialist with the NASA AESP Project and based at the Goddard Space Flight Center. With the federal budget reductions, much of the face to face professional development workshops our project has offered across the country in local school districts have been equally reduced. Our specialists will continue to support educators and have looked at other means to do so. We hope to bring resources and webinar programming to teachers through MSP2's community, so it makes sense to…See More

Dec 15, 2011

2 Comments

Richard Varner joined Middle School Portal's group

Science

Dec 15, 2011

53 Comments

Richard Varner commented on Sarita Pillai's blog post Earth Science Week Oct 9 - 15

"Here are some resources and Earth Science Week 2011 connections from NASA: Earth Science Week 2011 (October 9-15, 2011) "Our Ever-Changing Earth" URL: climate.nasa.gov/esw2011 Here is a schedule of events: Friday, Oct.…"

Oct 4, 2011

Richard Varner replied to Kim Lightle's discussion Teaching Tornadoes (or Other Extreme Weather Events)

"NASA works with NOAA and many researchers to study these extreme weather events from space. The educational materials are a little dated; however, the data from new satellites and computer models is amazing when put into animations. Here is a…"

Jul 5, 2011

Richard Varner replied to Leidy Luciani's discussion Invention Convention

"CT has a well organized Invention Convention, but there was a strong movement for this program in Florida many years ago. The state affiliate for NSTA in FL is FAST and there may be someone on their contact list who can provide some background on…"

Mar 10, 2011

Richard Varner replied to Davilla Riddle's discussion NMSA 2010 - Let's Connect

"I spent the morning in both of Alan November's presentations and while I don't always agree with him on every topic, I always find his discussions to be thought provoking. One item that he mentioned, was the web site…"

Nov 8, 2010

Richard Varner commented on Richard Varner's blog post "Social" Site Separation in Some States or is Web 2.0 a no Go?

"Agreed, Vivian. Thank you for yor comments. I know a number of people within the NASA community that have a professional and personal identity on FB for this reason. These days there is almost as much NASA Content on Facebook and the other social…"

Nov 8, 2010

Profile Information

Which best describes your position?: Other

What discipline(s) do you teach?: Science, Mathematics, Technology, Social Studies, Enrichment, Other

I can help with: Content knowledge, Gifted and talented, Instructional strategies, Integrating technology, Being a new teacher, Science fairs/competitions, Standards, Student misconceptions

Richard Varner's Blog

NASA/LPI Art Contest with Space Appeal

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Posted on October 17, 2012 at 8:43am

"Social" Site Separation in Some States or is Web 2.0 a no Go?

While working with teachers in MA, I read a local news story that describes the termination procedures that may face teachers in the state if they use Facebook and "Friend" their students. While I understand some of the implications that "Friending" a student might imply, I also understand that the web site is used for academic purposes in many schools.

There will certainly be a number of legal and union negotiations to follow, but thought this might be a topic that…

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Posted on November 4, 2010 at 10:04am — 2 Comments

The Science Connections in Science Fiction

As I was preparing for a summer rocketry program and activities at Western Connecticut State University this week, did some quick background research in an attempt to connect Robert Goddard's work of almost a hundred years ago to today's adolescents.

Turns out that Dr. Goddard has credited the classic novels of Jules Verne and Orson Wells as his early inspiration to look skyward and dream of tomorrow's realities. When his research was moved from Devers, MA to Roswell, NM in…

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Posted on August 23, 2010 at 10:57am — 18 Comments

Comment Wall (7 comments)

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At 10:43pm on January 11, 2011, Kim Lightle said…: Hope you join us online this Thursday, 1/13 at 4pm EST as we explore how reader's theater can be used to improve comprehension of informational text and help students learn science concepts. We'll focus on science-themed text, but the same principles can apply to other content areas as well. You can find the link to participate, the descriptions, and archived recordings of all the webinars at http://wiki.nsdl.org/index.php/BeyondPenguins/Seminars

At 4:50pm on October 21, 2010, Kim Lightle said…: Hi Richard - Did you see Science 360 today? There is a video about using science fiction - I thought of you! http://news.science360.gov/archives/20101021

At 10:26pm on March 18, 2010, Rebecca Lawson said…: Great, Richard!!

Our Southern Baptist relatives might not be too keen on the Mormon connection, but this is very interesting!!

Your work does sound like a dream.

Do you have an idea for the best way to share the science/tech integration info. Do you think it would work best in a blog, a forum conversation, or as part of the tech integration group?

So glad you are here! Although I only teach science through computer managed instruction software this year, I am very interested in learning from you!
Rebecca

At 8:40pm on March 18, 2010, Rebecca Lawson said…: Richard,

Welcome to MSP2! I love the questions that Davilla posted to you. This could be a great way to get some discussion going on this topic. Maybe you could post in the Forum and invite other comments.

If there is a way I can help, please let me know.

In addition to welcoming you to MSP2, i also have a personal interest in welcoming you. My mom's maiden name was Varner. We don't know a lot about the Varners ... just the ones around us who are kin. We live in SC. Where do your Varner relatives live? Has anyone in your family researched the family?

Also, I noticed that you work for NASA. (As a Teacher Leader I get to see email addresses that regular members do not see.) Also, I notice you are in Maryland? Do you work at Goddard? A friend's father worked there back near the beginning of the space program. He built a lot of the payloads for the rockets back in those days. (Now, that is a very general statement because I don't know a lot about it.) He probably retired in the late 70s or early 80s.

Personally, I have always been a space junkie. It has been fantastic to see two shuttle launches .. but never a night launch. That is a disappointment. Back when Shepard and Glenn were our nation's heroes, we took our transistor radios to school so we could hear the fantastic things that were happening. In the summer, I would pin my radio to the clothes line as I hung out the clothes so I didn't miss a second of the coverage.

When my brother was young, he had a book that talked about a family going on a visit to the moon. I always thought we would be able to go into space in my lifetime. However, as an adult, i realize the monetary implications of this dream.

Enough ... but it is exciting to have some NASA folks with us here. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Rebecca
Rock Hill, SC

At 1:49am on March 18, 2010, Davilla Riddle said…: For those members that are learning to integrate technology, what suggestions or tips do you have, if any?

At 7:30pm on March 17, 2010, Davilla Riddle said…: Hi,
Welcome to MSP2.

Is there anything I can help you with right now?

What is one tip you have for integrating technology in a science or math classroom?

Would you like to contribute a cool tool you have used recently in your classroom?

Aloha.

At 4:09pm on March 17, 2010, Kim Lightle said…: Hi Richard - I bet you are at Susan and Jessica's workshop at NSTA sitting right next to Anthony - Welcome aboard!

We are using this NING network as a place where educators can connect with each other (through answers to profile questions and the advanced Members search) and also as a way to connect educators with exemplary resources and professional development opportunities.

If you look on the Main page - you'll see MSP2 resources in the upper left hand box - we have resource guides where we have sifted and sorted and contextualized resources on topics important to middle school math and science teachers, an archive of all of our past webinars, the ability to search the MSP2 collection, and pages of teacher opportunities and grants.

We have have on the right side of the page our two project blogs - Resources for Math and Science and Connecting News. We also RSS feed the Teach Engineering blog and two NYT blog feeds.

You can see a list of all the MSP2 events and others that we think would be of interest to our audience under the Events tab. We have groups - including a book club - and lots of conversations!

I was thinking that we need to make sure that we are including any NASA events, teacher opportunities, etc in the portal and we are always looking for people who would like to present to our community about resources, science content, etc. Seems like we should tap into the NASA well. So glad you joined - Kim