BLAHST Project Management Team Meeting

May 11, 2025 - TIE Office, Rapid City - 1:00 p.m.

Present: Kathy Hood, Mitch Chapel, Charles Sykora, Norm Graham, Kathleeen VanHorn, John Swanson, Joe Hillberry, Jim Meszaros, Sheila Kinghorn, Becky Binder, Laurie Barnaud, Dorothy Keller, Janet Lillehaug, Ben Sayler, Bob Magelky and Andy Johnson

Absent: Josephine Hartmann, Tim Creal

Janet led discussion on the assessment document. The group decided to stay with the 6th grade level for the assessment testing. The test will be given in the fall and again in the spring to the same group. In the fall, Janet will try to visit in person with each teacher who will be administering the test rather than send a letter. The test group will include about 1,000 students. We will send an explanation letter to the principals this spring so they are aware of the process.

We plan to hire a research assistant to compile the information from the assessment testing. Janet handed out a copy of the proposed notice for a research assistant . This has not been approved by the university at this time, but should be authorized soon, so we can start searching for an individual to handle this project.

Spreadsheets of the workshop reservations were given to the management team. There are 16 workshops with a total of 350 registrations to date. Discussion followed about suggested workshop topics for the future. John Swanson wondered about the possibility of offering workshops concerning weather stations at the schools. KOTA might possibly fund this type of a workshop. The software for the weather stations is $1,000. Could BLAHST promote, help sponsor the cost of the software? John Swanson and Ben Sayler will pursue this topic to see if it might be possible. Terry Lewis (who offers the Star Lab) also offers "Real Reasons for Seasons" and "Celestial Journey - Lewis & Clark". Janet will look into the possibility of offering these workshops with Terry.

Horizon Report - Bob Magelky thanked the group for returning the surveys so promptly. He has 100% of the Principal questionnaires, and about 90% of the teacher questionnaires. The student numbers, teacher status report will be due October 15th.

Materials Coordinator - Laurie Barnaud thanked the group for helping set up appointments with the teachers for inventory and refurbishing the kits. Refurbishment is going well. Laurie mentioned again that the teachers really need to inventory their own kits. They are the ones most aware of what the kit needs and what is used. Time limitations do not allow Laurie to do all of the kits herself. Laurie encouraged teachers to order what they need rather than stockpile consumables that they don't need. Laurie gave the members the number of the Customer Service representative from FOSS for the schools - Siovhan (pronounced Shevonne) at 800-338-5270 ext. 464 (Please note change in extension number; Ext. 541 is for Bill Corbett, the Sales Rep. For S.D.)

Laurie has a list of kits available for check-out from the Center. We need lists of new kits that have been ordered by each district this year so that we will have refills available. Some districts are using older students to help teachers and younger students with the kits. We have correlations of the FOSS kits and the South Dakota science standards, if anyone needs a copy.

Kathy asked if the teachers really need the new teacher guides that are now available for FOSS. Janet suggested that the new manual is much better than what was available before.

Next year -

· Janet reminded the team that she is available to provide in-service workshops for the district meetings.

· Week-long model teaching has really been effective. Janet is willing to go to any of the schools upon request.

· Workshops. What do you want? Saturday workshops went over very well. Janet plans on a mix of weekday and Saturday workshops.

· School calendars and lists of teachers are very helpful when planning workshop schedules. We really need to have contact information/grade level for teachers.

· Perhaps another Principal/Lead Teacher meeting would be helpful. We really need to involve the Principals with the project. They need to know the importance of their role within the project. Lead teachers need to be recognized and encouraged to do what needs to be done to involve even reluctant teachers.

The next PMT meeting is set for September 14, 2024 and is scheduled to start at noon. We will have a working lunch and then get on with the meeting. Location will be sent out later. Have a great summer!