Adrienne Zweimiller Receives STEM Research Grant from Society for Science & the Public
December 15, 2020–Spring Valley is pleased to announce that Adrienne Zweimiller is one of 100 middle and high school science educators throughout the country who has been selected to receive a STEM research kit to help students conduct scientific research outside the classroom. She will be able to choose from a selection of 13 high-quality kits amounting to $1,000. These kits are distributed through the Society for Science & the Public’s STEM Research Grants program.
“In the last 10 months, STEM teachers have had to completely overhaul learning. It has been particularly difficult to move hands-on research and project-based learning, such as science labs, to a virtual environment without the appropriate equipment and materials,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. “By providing teachers and students with STEM research kits and equipment, we hope to accelerate STEM learning and spark a curiosity in science and engineering topics, despite current circumstances.”
In prior years, the Society offered grants of up to $5,000 to educators through the STEM Research Grants program. Educators then used that funding to purchase resources for their classrooms. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the STEM Research Grants program was adapted to provide teachers the necessary tools for effective at-home learning.In order to better help educatorsadjust to their continually shifting environment and to maximize the money being spent, the Society purchased resources in bulk and developed multiple kits for educators to choose from.
Out of the 427 STEM Research Grants applicants, priority consideration was given to teachers in schools that serve low-income areas or underrepresented students.
Here are just a few examples of the 13 available research kits that will allow budding scientists to explore their distinct research interests:
•Foldscope Instruments –These paper microscopes work just like real microscopes and are perfect for students learning from home. Made with paper and lenses, these microscopes can fit right into your pocket and can give you magnifications of over 140X and 2-micron resolution.
•Arduino Starter Kits –With this open-source hardware and software platform, students can get started on learning about electronics. Available in a variety of languages and simple to use at home, teachers can lead students through projects about voltage, current, coding and also the fundamentals of programming. Students can build innovative prototypes with Arduino boards for their science fair projects with this kit
.•PocketLab Weather Sensors –Equipped with a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connection, this sensor technology allows students to easily measure data about the physical world, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, light and more. The data can be collected, visualized and analyzed in a cloud platform, enabling studentsto access the data in real-timeon their iPads or mobile devices.
•Neuron SpikerBox Bundles –Neuroscience isn’t often taught in middle or high school, but this take-home kit from Backyard Brains was fashioned to encourage teens to study the brain and develop future therapies to treat neurobiological disease. The bundle gives budding neuroscientists exposure to the field early, exposing them to overlapping sciences, such as biology, chemistry, computer science and medicine. The built-in bioamplifier will allow students to hear and see action potentials in real-time.
The STEM Research Grants are funded by Regeneron. For a full list of this year’s grant recipients, visit https://www.societyforscience.org/outreach-and-equity/stem-research-grants/recipients/.
End-of-Course Exams: First Semester
Students who are taking Algebra 1, Intermediate Algebra, English 1 & 2, Biology 1, and/or US History (semester classes) will take the EOC exam in January.
Students taking year-long courses will take the EOC in Second Semester. The EOC counts for 20% of the overall grade for the course.
2020-2021 Semester 1 Exam Schedule
Congratulations to Our AP Students
Attention all students. If you took any AP Math, Science, English Language, or Literature courses last year and made a score of 3 or better, you have money waiting for you from NMSI! Please stop by the school from 8am -4pm until Friday, December 18th to pick up your check! If you have any questions please contact Mr. Glover. Thank you.
SV Girls Track & Field
Are you Interested participating with Girls Track & Field? Conditioning/Try-Outs have started for the 2021 season. If you are interested in being a part of the Track & Field team, please contact Coach Williams at Kanwilliams@richland2.org. Prior to beginning, you must have a Sports Physical and Covid-19 waiver form completed through PlanetHS. Due to the current construction on the track, conditioning is taking place in different locations daily. Please inquire with Coach Williams for details.
PSAT SCORES ARE AVAILABLE!
PSAT scores will be available online at www.collegeboard.org starting today, December 8th. In order to access scores online, students must create a College Board account. Please click here to create an account and watch a video to learn what’s on your score report.
Come Celebrate with a Virtual Holiday Performance
Spring Valley Players are proud to present: To: Mrs. Claus! If you have questions please email Victoria Curtis at vcurtis@richland2.org. All performances will be virtual and will have a waiting room open 20 minutes before the show!
Richland Two Virtual District Teacher Recruitment Fair
Trashion Show
Are You Interested in Boys Track & Field ?
Conditioning has started for the 2021 track and field season. If you are interested in being a part of the track and field team, please contact Coach Oberly, moberly@richland2.org. You must have a sports physical and a covid waiver form completed through PlanetHS. Due to the construction on the track, conditioning is taking place in different locations. Please contact Coach Oberly for a schedule of conditioning practices and location.
MAP TESTING INFORMATION
CHROMEBOOK REPAIRS
If you have a broken Chromebook that requires a repair and you are an in-person student, you may bring it to the Tech Office between 8:30 am – 9 am on a day you are at SHVS or during class with a pass from a teacher.
If you are a virtual student, you may bring it between 8:30 am – 9 am Monday – Thursday or on asynchronous Fridays between 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. We ask that virtual students not miss live classes to visit the tech office.
Please keep in mind the following fees will apply to damaged Chromebooks if you did not purchase the Chromebook insurance this school year:
Repair and Replacement Cost Schedule
To reduce the potential burden to students and parents, and to simplify the assessment of costs for schools, the cost schedule is generalized into major, minor, and cosmetic charges. Costs are based on our current models. It is possible that lower-cost options are available through third parties in some cases, but we can not accept substitutes or alternative repair proposals. Loss is not covered by insurance.
| Full Replacement CostFor loss, theft or in cases where damage is so severe that repair is not cost effective. | $350 |
| Major RepairFor damage to the screen, system board and/or multiple damages reported in the same instance. | $150 |
| Minor RepairFor damage to all other components. | $75 |
| CosmeticFor minor cosmetic damage which in no way affects the operation of the device, and will not be repaired. | $25 |
| Swappable Items (Loss not covered by insurance)Power Adapter and CableProtective Carry Case | $25 |
| Replacement TagsRemoval or damage of asset or other informational tags or markings. Not covered by protection plan. | $5 |
Boys Soccer Virtual Interest Meeting
The boys soccer team will have a virtual interest meeting on Tuesday 12.15.2020 at 6:30pm.
Boys Soccer Virtual Interesting Meeting Link
Scholarship Information Workshop
The Scholarship Money for College Workshop will take place on December 16th at 6:00 p.m. virtually. The meeting access link will be emailed the day before. Pace Scholarship Academy is facilitating. You can register here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Blassingame or Mrs. Bishton, thank you.
Career Connections Coffee Talk:
Guest speaker, Dan Eassa, will speak on the topic of NCAA/NAIA Eligibility. Covid-19 continues to provide for an uncertain future. The issue of NCAA and NAIA initial eligibility remains. Learn how to empower the parent and student athlete to manage their NCAA core course and NAIA academic process starting in the freshman year of high school. NCAA rules concerning Covid-19 and higher academic standards (for D1, D2) as well as online curriculum/credit recovery make early education on this subject matter for our student athletes critically important. Join Virtually:https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CLUdjsrwTW-HPa5uI-3rzA
Focus on Your Future Friday:
Lasenta Lewis-Ellis, owner of LLE Construction Group, LLC. and MEBA Board of Director, will share her experience as a business owner and entrepreneur. Ms. Lewis-Ellis will talk about her extensive background and share with students how they can turn their passions into business. Join Virtually: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nUg4qUm7RXymgRwirc-11Q
Bank of America Student Leaders
Are you, or someone you know, an outstanding high school junior or senior student and active community member? If so, apply today to be a 2021 Bank of America Student Leader! Applications are now live and are due no later than January 29, 2021. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a nonprofit in Columbia and gain skills for a brighter future.
The Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Student Poetry Contest
he Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Student Poetry Contest is now open for all South Carolina students in grades 3 through 12.This year’s theme is “What Inspires You?”
We are thrilled that award-winning author Pat Mora is our featured poet this year and will join us for a ceremony in late spring 2021 to celebrate the 2020 and 2021 winners.
Students can submit poems in English, bilingual Spanish-English, or transcribed from those who have a visual disability.
The deadline for all student submissions is Monday, February 15, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
First, second and third place winners are determined by judges for Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. Winners will be invited to the awards ceremony to share their poem and receive prizes including books and gift cards.
For more information: http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/poetry
