Please note: These activities are being provided as a service to the
members of GSTA and are posted at the discretion of the GSTA Board of Directors
specifically through the Communications Committee. Please send any
questions or comments to the webmaster or your local district director.
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HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY: A CONTEXTUAL & INQUIRY BASED TEACHING APPROACH
A Professional Development Workshop to:
- Learn about relevant aspects of learning theory,
- Practice inquiry investigations aligned with GPS,
- Design a learning environment simulating inter-disciplinary STEM careers,
- Assess students on inquiry-based, hands-on, student-centered activities,
- Update content knowledge by using chemical literature and peer networking.
Initiative involving high school chemistry and physical science teachers from West GA, Northwest GA and Metro RESA
Workshop Schedule
9 am – 4 pm July 7—July 11, 2008 30 hours
9 am – noon Friday, September 5, 2008 3 hours
9 am – noon Friday, October 3, 2008 3 hours
1 pm – 5 pm Friday, December 5, 2008 4 hours
9 am – 3 pm Saturday, December 6, 2008 6 hours
9 am – 1 pm Saturday, January 31, 2009 4 hours
TOTAL: 50 hours
Application deadline: Friday, May 2, 2008
No Child Left Behind Improving Teacher Quality Program
awards each participant completing 50 hour program with
5 PLU, $300 stipend, partial funding to attend ACS conference
Download Application Form
Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt (sbdutt@westga.edu)
Dr. Gail Marshall (gmarshal@westga.edu)
Consultant: Dr. Donald Wink, University of IL-Chicago
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Southeast Bioenergy Conference University of Georgia’s Tifton Campus July
31 – August 2 (2 PLU’s): www.sebioenergy.org
K-12 teachers are admitted for only $25 but
must register at www.sebioenergy.org. Registration provides lunch on 2 days, snacks on 3
days, and great exposure to experts in the biofuels fields. This is a
multi-state conference with presenters from all over the globe. Some topics
for this year’s conference are:
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Teaching About Green
Energy |
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Legislative and
Regulatory Issues |
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Energy Opportunities |
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Entrepreneurial
Sessions such as from Coke to Ethanol & Vinod Khosla’s Range Fuels’ group |
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The Design Team
Behind EcoManor – Laura Turner & Rutherford Seydel’s new energy efficient
home |
Teachers may attend special sessions for
educators during breakout groups or can join other sessions of interest with
public policy officials, scientists, etc. This is our 2nd conference on
alternative energy solutions, and we just keep growing. Our website is
updated weekly with more agenda items. To earn 2 PLU’s, teachers must bring a
Prior Approval Form w/them which can be found at www.ugastars.org under Teachers/Professional Dev. Opportunities.
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PAGE (Professional
Association of Georgia Educators) Summer Workshops: http://www.ciclt.net/page/main.asp?RoutineCk=Display&Client=page&PT=edit_pages&Page=PLI_2007
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Pilot program: My name
is Jessica Tegt and I am a Ph.D student at Mississippi State University.
Georgia has been selected to participate in a national assessment of an
exciting classroom educational curriculum entitled Living with White-tailed
Deer. Specifically, I am seeking High School teachers in Georgia to take
part in this important project, which will serve as the basis of my research
dissertation. The Living with White-tailed Deer program is designed to
introduce students to the complex issues of urban wildlife management and
biodiversity through research, critical thinking, debate, and the development
of citizenship skills. The program involves three to five classroom sessions
and takes place in a “town hall” type forum. Importantly, this program has
been correlated to National Academic Standards in science, environmental
studies, social studies, and civics. All participating students and teachers
will be surveyed three times during the study including 1) prior to the
program, 2) immediately following the program, and 3) at the end of the school
year. The purpose of these surveys is two-fold. First, they will help
identify differences in student and teacher attitudes and knowledge prior to
and two times subsequent to program implementation. Secondly, the surveys
will reveal areas in which the program can be modified and/or improved for
future use. Each participating teacher will receive a complimentary copy of
the three-disk multimedia program. The project will commence at the beginning
of the 2007-2008 school year. Please forward this letter to members of your
Science Teachers Association to garner interest. Those who are interested, or
would like more information may contact me by phone at 662-617-2735, or by
email at jtegt@cfr.msstate.edu |
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The Center for
Science, Mathematics and Technology at Mississippi State University invites science, mathematics and technology educators to apply for the
Industry-Education Partnerships (IEP) workshop funded through NSF. The IEP
project is designed to connect education and business/industry to focus on
preparing students to enter a workplace based on a global economy and to
develop learning communities. Applicants should possess a strong commitment
to providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in
today’s highly technical workplace and contribute to the growth of the global
economy. Selected participants will receive a
professional fee of $100 per day, meal allowance, travel reimbursement, and up
to 13 CEUs. Participants are expected to attend a 4 –week summer workshop
(June 4-29, 2007), complete a one-week local internship commitment, and assist
in the design of a learning community which involves educators and industry
representatives. Partners for Industry-Education Partnerships include, but are
not limited to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Tennessee Valley Authority, Red
Hills Mine and Nissan. Industry-Education Partnership Applications are
available now at http://csmt.msstate.edu Just click on the “Online Applications” button to
get there. For additional information you may visit our website (http://csmt.msstate.edu)
or call Georgia Hackney at 662-325-9679. |
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June
10th - 15th and July 8th – 13th River to Reefs Educator’s Workshop 2007 Rivers to Reefs – (3 PLU)
We are currently accepting applications for our Rivers to Reef workshop.
During this week long workshop, teachers wade into the water world as they
learn about watersheds, water quality, current aquatic issues, and river and
reef ecosystems. Join staff from the Georgia Aquarium and NOAA Gray’s Reef
National Marine Sanctuary for a six-day, jam-packed teacher’s workshop of
fantastic field experiences and empowering classroom lessons. This workshop
will begin in Atlanta with a visit to the Georgia Aquarium’s Learning Loop.
Participants will then follow the course of the Altamaha Watershed from its
headwaters near the Georgia Aquarium to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
with numerous field experiences along the way. The highlight of the workshop
will be an all day trip to Gray’s Reef where participants will deploy and
operate an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to see the reef without ever
getting wet!
Due to the limited
number of spaces, interested teachers must apply and be accepted into the
workshop to participate. Applications are due by April 15th and will be accepted via mail, email, or fax at the address listed on the
application. Selected participants will be notified by May 1st Contact: Kim Morris-Zarneke, Education Dept, 225
Baker St, Atlanta, GA 30313 E-mail: kzarneke@georgiaaquarium.org Phone: 404-581-4192 Fax: 404-581-4199 for application information. |
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June
11-15, 2007: Attention!! 8th grade Physical Science Teachers:
Famous author of the
Stop Faking It (Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It) series of
science education resource books for teachers, will teach the whole first day
of the 8th grade Physical Science course which begins June 11 here at
Shenandoah GYSTC. Bill Robertson is a science education writer, teaches
online math and physics for the University of Phoenix, and reviews and edits
science materials. His has numerous publications and has developed K-12
curricula, teacher materials, and science kits. He has a master's degree in
physics and a Ph. D. in science education. If you don't want to attend all
week, don't miss Bill Robertson on June 11! The week-long 4 PLU
course will be held on the Newnan campus of the University of West Georgia
and will feature several instructors who will provide concept study and
hands-on lab experiences to teach all physical science standards for 8th
grade. In addition, GYSTC will provide each member teacher with a set of
complete units published by GYSTC. (Shenandoah GYSTC members come free.
Non-members pay $50 per PLU, $200 for the week, or $25 to hear Bill Robertson
on June 11.) Contact Cathy Wright - cathy@nc.westga.edu to sign up.
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June
18-21. Georgia Sea Turtle Conservation Workshop. What weighs around 300lbs, lives in the ocean, utilizes the beach to lay
around 600 eggs between May and early August, has been around for about 6
million years and needs your help? If you guessed Loggerhead, you're correct!!
Work with some of the most respected sea turtle biologists from Georgia and
South Carolina who will share their research in physiology, behavior, and
conservation. Learn why the Georgia Coast is so important to these magnificent
animals, and ways you can help through educating your students. Curriculum and
resource materials provided. 3 PLU's available. Contact Georgia Graves
(georgiabeachwalk@bellsouth.net) or Sapelo Island NERR Education Office for
details (912.485.2300).
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June
24-30, 2007 : SEA PERCH ROV workshop (this is really cool!): Ocean Sciences
Education Leadership Institute – Georgia
Middle and high school
teachers, pre-service teachers, and informal educators are invited to build
and test their own Remotely Operative Vehicle (ROV) from the MIT Sea Grant SEA
PERCH program, which they will take back to their classrooms. This COSEE SE
Ocean Sciences Education Leadership Institute, June 24-30, 2007 in Savannah,
Georgia, will allow participants to discover how ROVs are used to study the
seafloor to understand habitats, geology, and effects of surface storms on the
bottom. Lodging, travel, stipends, and more will be provided. Contact
Margaret Olsen at olsen@uga.edu for
complete information. |
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July
9-19, 2007. OCONEE RESA: This institute fulfills
the MSP grant Oconee RESA recently received. We will be working with science
teachers in the Middle Schools of Oconee RESA. The project has 3
objectives. They are to:
1. Provide middle
grades mathematics and science teachers in grades 6-8 with content training
aligned to the new Georgia Performance Standards (GPS);
2. Advance the
disciplinary content depth, pedagogical content acumen, and cognitive
disciplinary instructional skill of teachers of mathematics and science in
grades 6-8; and
3. Provide special
education teachers who work with students in grades 6-8 training in
mathematics and science content.
Contact Caylen Tichenor, ctichenor@washington.k12.ga.us for more information.
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July
9-20, 2007 plus two Saturdays during the 2007-2008 school year. Earth Systems
and the GPS: A summer Institute for High School Teachers held at Georgia
Perimeter College Clarkston Campus. 8 PLU's plus a stipend of $480.
Field trips, lab
demonstrations, hands-on inquiry-based activities, classroom presentations,
and online professional development materials. Topics include fossil record,
evolution and extinction, deposition in sedimentary basins, relative dating,
plate tectonics, earth systems and climate change, origin and early evolution
of Earth and solar system, radiometric dating, Earth’s interior, mass wasting,
weathering, geochemical cycles, weather and climate, and more. Contact Pamela
Gore at pgore@gpc.edu or
678-891-3754. Applications must be received by May 1, 2007. Preference given
to teachers from partners (DeKalb County, City Schools of Decatur, and Fulton
County). Travel funds available for out-of-area teachers.
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July
9-13. GRIFFIN RESA COURSE: Habitats of Georgia. A standards-based course
correlated with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for Environmental
Science, Biology, and sciences in Elementary, Middle and High School grades. The course will include
a study of ecological principles, a description of various Georgia habitats
and the representative flora and fauna forming the communities of these areas.
A study of river ecology may involve paddling down Cathead Creek, a tidal
tributary of the Altamaha River (this depends on weather and other
conditions). There will be a study of salt marshes to include life at high and
low tides, seining for animals in the ocean, study of intertidal creatures,
study of plankton, effects of storms on beach, ocean circulation, and wave
activities, and a study of ecological succession producing Maritime Forests.
There will also an opportunity to experience the rich cultural history of
coastal Georgia and Sapelo Island. Materials and classroom activities will be
available for use in future classes. Course offered at Griffin RESA by Dr. O.C.
Lam
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July
16 & 17. GRIFFIN RESA COURSE “Reading for Science Content”. Reading in content
areas such as science enables students to improve reading and to gain
knowledge about the content. This form of reading will provide the opportunity
for expository learning. Children learn that reading is an essential skill to
learning while they learn appropriate scientific concepts. Children will begin
to interact with the text at three levels: reading factual information, making
inferences, and forming conclusions.
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June
11-22, 2007. (Southwest
Georgia)The Oxford Institute for Environmental Education will be offering a
summer program, . This program is targeted to science teachers, and will
focus upon the basic principles of ecology in terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems, how to apply this knowledge to
lesson plans and how to develop their own schoolyards for environmental
education.
Stipends, free tuition, classroom grants and housing and travel funds will be
provided to attendees. In addition, the participants will receive 6 PLU
credit hours. Review of applications begins April 20, 2007. For further
information, and to get an online application, please visit www.oiee.oxford.emory.edu .
Applications, along with a $50.00 refundable deposit fee and a paragraph
describing why the applicant wishes to attend the Institute, should be mailed
to Joy Budensiek, Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, Oxford College
of Emory University, Oxford, Georgia 30054. Questions may be directed to
Steve Baker at sbaker@emory.edu or
call 770-784-8397.
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ON-LINE COURSES:
Earth &
Space Science for Middle School Teachers – ONLINE! Georgia
Perimeter College (GPC) is offering Earth & Space Science for
Middle School Teachers as an ONLINE course in Summer 2007.
When? On
your own schedule between May 21 and July 20, 2007. Course takes about 5 weeks
to complete. Registration is March 26-May 4. Late registration is May 18.
Why should I
take this course?
This course will help you become better prepared and more comfortable teaching
Earth Science in a Georgia Performance Standards-based middle-school classroom.
Each topic is related to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), National
Science Education Standards, and Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy. Activities
are presented that you can adapt to your classroom. Activities include mineral
and rock identification, weather and astronomy observations, and various
web-based activities.
What topics
are covered?
Metric system, scientific method, Earth’s surface features, Earth systems,
earthquakes, interior of the Earth, plate tectonics, volcanoes, minerals, rocks,
weathering, soil, erosion, water resources, energy resources, fossils, geologic
time, weather, wind systems, storms, air pollution, oceanography, waves,
currents, tides, sea level change, astronomy, solar system, phases of the Moon,
eclipses, seasons, galaxies, and the origin of the Universe.
How do online
courses work?
You can take online courses on your computer at home or work, with no commuting
to campus involved. There are no set times to be online. Simply log into the
online course at your convenience, do readings, complete assignments, and take
quizzes. Midterm and final exams are taken with a proctor in your area. You do
not need to go to campus.
How much time
is involved?
You may begin the course in June and finish in mid-late July. The course can be
completed over about 5 weeks. You need to set aside about 150 hours to complete
the course. Actual time spent may vary, depending on the individual.
How do I
apply?
Go
to http://gpc.edu (look for the links on application
and admission). Print out the application
form, and submit it along with transcripts (showing receipt of a college degree), and the immunization form (you can waive the
immunization requirement since this is an online course).
Fax or mail these forms to Dr. Pamela Gore. Fax is 678-891-3747. Mailing
address is Dr. Pamela Gore, Department of Science, Georgia Perimeter College,
555 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021. Cost?
See http://www.gpc.edu/~acadaff/Schedules/fees.php3 for
information on tuition and fees. Tuition for a 4-credit online course at GPC is
$99 per credit hour, or $396 for 2007, plus fees. In addition, you will have
the cost of books, and lab supplies, such as rock and mineral kits.
For more
information:
Contact Dr. Pamela Gore at pgore@gpc.edu or call
678-891-3754.
Physical
Science for Middle School Teachers – ONLINE! Georgia
Perimeter College (GPC) is offering Physical Science for Middle
School Teachers as an ONLINE course in Summer 2007.
When?
On
your own schedule between May 21 and July 20, 2007. Course takes about 5 weeks
to complete. Registration is March 26-May 4. Late registration is May 18.
Why should I
take this course?
This course will help you become better prepared and more comfortable teaching
Physical Science in a Georgia Performance Standards-based middle-school
classroom. Each topic is related to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS),
National Science Education Standards, and Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy.
Activities are presented that you can adapt to your classroom.
What topics
are covered?
Topics include: Metric system, scientific method, matter, atoms, periodic
table, bonding, chemical compounds, molecules, gases, liquids, solids, chemical
changes, waves, sound, electromagnetic radiation, optics, motion of objects,
forces and motion, Newton’s Laws, simple machines and mechanical systems, work,
energy and power, gravity, electric charges, electricity, circuits, magnets.
How do online
courses work?
You can take online courses on your computer at home or work, with no commuting
to campus involved. There are no set times to be online. Simply log into the
online course at your convenience, do readings, complete assignments, and take
quizzes. Midterm and final exams are taken with a proctor in your area. You do
not need to go to campus.
How much time
is involved?
You may begin the course in June and finish in mid-late July. The course can be
completed over about 5 weeks. You need to set aside about 150 hours to complete
the course. Actual time spent may vary, depending on the individual.
How do I
apply?
Go
to http://gpc.edu (look for the links on Application and Admission). Print out the application form, and submit it along
with transcripts (showing receipt
of a college degree), and the immunization
form (you can waive the immunization requirement since this is an
online course).
Fax or mail these forms to Dr. Pamela Gore. Fax is 678-891-3747. Mailing
address is Dr. Pamela Gore, Department of Science, Georgia Perimeter College,
555 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021.
Cost?
See http://www.gpc.edu/~acadaff/Schedules/fees.php3 for information on tuition and fees. Tuition for a 4-credit online course at
GPC is $99 per credit hour, or $396 for 2007, plus fees (see website for most
current information). In addition, you will have the cost of books and lab
supplies.
For more
information:
Contact Dr. Pamela Gore at pgore@gpc.edu or call 678-891-3754.
For the three workshops listed below
complete applications online or mail to: Susan Reinhardt NESPAL; P. O. Box 748 Tifton, Ga. 31793 www.ugastars.org More
information: Susan Reinhardt;slr@uga.edu;229-386-3050 1. Georgia Center of Innovation Tour - June 5-7 (All Over Georgia) A chance to go behind the
scenes to experience and explore emerging careers in Georgia’s Science and
Technology Industries. This will be a traveling tour with all meals and lodging
covered. A $35 non-refundable registration fee made to the University of
Georgia is required for application to be considered. Centers of Innovation to
visit:Agriculture, Tifton; Aerospace, Warner Robins; Life Science, Augusta;
Manufacturing, Gainesville; Plus research @ UGA in Athens and GA Tech in Atlanta
2 PLU’s. Limit 20 participants. 2.
Biotechnology Workshop July 24-27 (Tifton)
From crime scenes
investigations to manufactured drugs to the food we eat, biotechnology has an
increasing impact on our world. What does it mean, how is it used, and where
are we going with it? Join scientists and experienced teachers as we explore
the mystery of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) using hands-on activities and
laboratory experiments. The last 3 days of the workshop, teachers will work
with students every morning practicing and perfecting activities they have
developed the preceding day. Registration Fee: $100
Limited to 10 middle and high school science and/or math teachers.. 3
PLU’s. 3.
Southeast Bioenergy Conference - July 31-August 2 (Tifton) Join representatives
from state government agencies; University of Georgia, Georgia Tech; private
industry & trade; farmers & timber owners; and fellow teachers as we discuss
alternative energy sources for the Southeast. We will highlight energy
awareness programs for schools, discuss Georgia initiatives, and have hands-on
sessions giving teachers an opportunity to try activities & equipment suitable
for the classroom. 2 PLU’s. Registration fee of $25 for teachers allows them
to attend all three days of the conference. To register go to www.sebioenergy.org/. Southwest GYSTC
Professional Learning Courses
Summer 2007 ***For more information
on the following workshops, contact Donna
McGlincy at dmcglinc@bainbridge.edu 8th Grade GPS Unit Physical Science Training
This workshop will
train teachers to use the GPS Unit Modules written by GYSTC. All Eighth Grade
Standards and Elements for Physical Science are incorporated along with
learning activities, performance tasks, and a variety of resources.
Participants will receive the entire unit for their classroom upon successful
completion of the workshop.
Sessions will be held
at the GYSTC facility. 1 PLU credit will be awarded
May
28 & 29 (9 am – 3 pm) or July 23 & 24 (9am – 3 pm)
Kindergarten GPS Unit Training
This workshop will
train teachers to use the GPS Unit Modules written by GYSTC. All Kindergarten
Standards and Elements for Earth, Life, and Physical Science are incorporated
along with learning activities, performance tasks, and a variety of resources.
Participants will receive the entire unit for their classroom upon successful
completion of the workshop.
Sessions will be held
at the GYSTC facility. 1 PLU credit will be awarded.
May
31 & June 1 (9 am – 3 pm) or July 12 & 13 (9 am – 3 pm)
First Grade GPS Unit Training
This workshop will
train teachers to use the GPS Unit Modules written by GYSTC. All First Grade
Standards and Elements for Earth, Life, and Physical Science are incorporated
along with learning activities, performance tasks, and a variety of resources.
Participants will receive the entire unit for their classroom upon successful
completion of the workshop.
Sessions will be held
at the GYSTC facility. 1 PLU credit will be awarded.
June
27 & 28 (9 am – 3 pm) or July 16 & 17 (9 am – 3 pm)
Second Grade GPS Unit Training
This workshop will
train teachers to use the GPS Unit Modules written by GYSTC. All Second Grade
Standards and Elements for Earth, Life, and Physical Science are incorporated
along with learning activities, performance tasks, and a variety of resources.
Participants will receive the entire unit for their classroom upon successful
completion of the workshop.
Sessions will be held
at the GYSTC facility. 1 PLU credit will be awarded.
July10 & 11 (9 am – 3 pm) or July 18 & 19 (9 am – 3 pm)
The
Living Flint (Grades K-12)
This weeklong study
will take teachers from the headwaters of the Flint River to the Gulf of
Mexico. Teachers will learn to conduct water quality tests, meet with
government leaders, and get a behind the scenes look at the world of working
scientists in businesses and industries throughout the watershed. Participants
will receive a variety of resources for the classroom and will have the
opportunity to check out equipment from GYSTC . Funded in part by a Teacher Quality Education Grant
June
3 – 10, 2007 5 PLU Credits
EERA:
Environmental Education Research Academy (Grades K-12)
This weeklong
environmental field experience is based at the J.W. Jones Ecological Research
Center in Newton, GA. This intensive science-based program is designed for
teachers to work closely with scientists in the field to explore current
research related to forestry, wildlife, plant diversity, and aquatic ecology.
Participants will receive supplies and resource materials for the classroom.
Funded in part by a Teacher Quality Education Grant.
June
17 – 22, 2007 5 PLU Credits
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Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Ed, teacher
professional learning opportunities: Click for flyer and PLU form.
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The National Institute of Invasive Species Science (www.niiss.org),
a consortium of partners from Colorado State University, the USGS, NASA,
along
with many other public land management agencies, non-profit organizations,
educational institutions, and conservation organizations, are seeking
teachers that collect information on non-native, invasive species with the
help of their students. Our research team has designed an online data
management system so that classes can contribute this type of information to a
nationally growing database that will be used to help monitor and control
these species nationwide. If you are interested in providing us information
on your monitoring effort through a short survey or are interested in
participating in this program, please contact Alycia Crall at mawaters@nrel.colostate.edu
or (970) 227-3310. This program is based upon
work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.OCI-0636213. |
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Coastlines 2007 workshops through UGA:
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June - August, 2007
(Registration going on now!) |
Various Locations |
ACS Summer Workshops for High School
Chemistry Teachers
The American Chemical Society is sponsoring inquiry-based teacher
training workshops this summer throughout the country. More information
may be found at www.chemistry.org/education. Follow the links to workshops and
courses. |
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Free Professional Development
Opportunity for Teachers Using Investigations in Environmental Science
The GEODE Initiative at Northwestern University is pleased to offer a free
professional development opportunity to a limited number of high school
environmental science teachers. This opportunity is available to schools
that adopt Investigations in Environmental Science, a new inquiry-based
environmental science textbook, and will be implementing it for the first
time in 2007-08 or 2008-09. The professional development is being offered as
part of a research study on professional development sponsored by the
National Science Foundation and led by researchers at the University of
Michigan. The study is investigating the relative benefits of face-to-face
and online professional development, and teachers selected to participate
will be assigned at random to groups receiving different portions of the
professional development in a face-to-face summer workshop and online
throughout the year. Teachers selected for the study will receive 48 hours
of professional development (valued at $2000) and a stipend at the
completion of each year of the study (total of $1500 over two years).
Accepted teachers and their principals must have purchased (or commit to
purchasing) the instructional materials, must commit to participating fully
in the summer and academic year professional development workshops, and must
commit to participating in the study, including classroom data collection,
for two years. Some other advantages for teachers who are selected for this
professional development opportunity:* Receive direct access to the
developers of the curriculum, both face-to-face and online.* The developers
of the curriculum designed and are running the professional development.*
Participate in a collaborative learning environment with other teachers
around the country also learning to use the Investigations in Environmental
Science curriculum. Investigations in Environmental Science: a
Case-Based Approach to Environmental Systems is a research-based,
case-based, inquiry high school environmental science course that was
developed by Northwestern University with the support of the National
Science Foundation.* For more information about this opportunity, visit: http://www.worldwatcher.northwestern.edu/investigations/development.html Or contact: Beth Kubitskey, 610 E. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (734)
647-2975 iopd-info@umich.edu
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The Young Naturalist Awards, a program from the American Museum of Natural History and
sponsored by Alcoa Foundation, is a research-based essay contest for students
in grades 7 – 12 to promote participation and communication in science. Young
people who enter conduct their own investigations on a topic in the field of
biology, ecology, Earth science or, astronomy. They plan their own scientific
expeditions during which they identify questions, form hypotheses, collect
data, make observations, and draw conclusions Students present their findings
in narrative essays that include illustrations, photographs, maps, graphs, and
bibliographies. This year’s guidelines have been updated and are now posted on
our web site at: www.amn.org/youngnaturalistawards . The deadline for the 2007 contest is
April 1, 2007. The top two winners in each grade will receive scholarship
awards and an expenses-paid trip to attend the award ceremony at the Museum
next June.
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Hi. I write children's songs and poems, and I have one, "Pluto's Not a Planet
Anymore," that may be of interest to your group's teachers. It is being played
by quite a few planetarium directors, so perhaps it also would be helpful in
the classroom. Jeff Mondak
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=49124
http://www.jeffspoemsforkids.com/
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FREE Teacher’s Kit and Opportunity to Win $250-$5,000 for Your School
The Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO) has created a FREE resource for
science teachers. The CAPCO Science Class Challenge Kit contains all of the
materials necessary to teach your students about the earth’s protective ozone
layer, CFCs and aerosol products. The Kit includes a teacher’s guide,
classroom activities, experiments, homework assignments and the DVD, “Another
Awesome Aerosol Adventure.” In addition, the kit is a perfect companion to
CAPCO’s Science Class Challenge, an opportunity to design your own creative
method of teaching important environmental issues. Through the Science Class
Challenge, teachers can earn $250-$5,000 for their schools as well as a pizza
party for their class. To order a kit and learn more about the Science Class
Challenge visit: www.nocfcs.org.
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The EEinGeorgia E-News is a monthly e-mail bulletin
provided by the Online Guide to Environmental Education in Georgia (www.EEinGeorgia.org).
We're looking forward to serving you this school year by providing the latest
EE news, events, resources, contests, awards, and grants! Jump start the
year by entering one of the exciting EE contests or applying for a grant to
fund your EE efforts. Learn more about teaching outdoors by reading three
Georgia educator's articles or by attending the upcoming Outdoor Classroom
Symposium. |
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Free online printable poster of Georgia from space
and other cool earth science links. Prints best on 11x17 paper.
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The Clean Air
Campaign recognizes the power of reaching one child and
instilling a sense of responsibility and respect for his or her individual
community. To harness that potential, The Clean Air Campaign offers a number
of NEW GPS Lesson Plans for Grades 4-8, education programs and resources to
not only educate the next generation, but to motivate change. Check out our
lesson plans, invite BAIR, the Better Air Mascot, to your school, and find
out more about our school programs by going to the website and checking out
the FOR SCHOOLS section! www.cleanaircampaign.com
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The Georgia Systemic
Teacher Education Program (GSTEP) is thrilled to introduce the BRIDGE, a free
online tool for teachers by teachers. The BRIDGE, located at www.teachersbridge.org , has two
primary goals: to connect teachers to just-in-time, peer-reviewed resources
and to each other through online Teacher Learning Communities. Among its many
unique features is the BRIDGE’s organizing structure, the GSTEP Framework for
Accomplished Teaching, which has recently been adopted by the DOE and the PSC
as a basis for the development of a Teacher Success Model.
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News for Teachers:
Make Use of the FREE Web Site
Federal Resources for Educational ExcellenceThe Federal Resources for Educational
Excellence (FREE) web site (http://www.ed.gov/free/index.html)
makes it easy to find teaching resources on federal government Web sites. The
site was developed with the cooperation of more than 35 federal agencies and
is updated each week with new materials and highlights.
FREE offers quick
access to more than 1,500 resources in the arts, sciences, history and other
subjects from the Library of Congress, National Archives, Smithsonian, NASA,
the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
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Free Online
Professional Learning offered through the US Dept. of Ed. and approved for
PLU's in Georgia. The Department now has 23 free e-Learning sessions
available. To view any of the math, reading, English, language arts, or
science sessions, visit: http://www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative. The site also has information
about using data in the classroom and the basics of the No Child Left Behind
Act.
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The CEISMC Gazette:
A newsletter putting cutting-edge Georgia Tech research into the context of
the K-12 classroom: http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/gazette/ To subscribe to the Gazette go
to: http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/gazette/registergazette.htm
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I maintain a weekly
"Earth Science Site of the Week" listserv where a variety of the most
interesting earth science related web sites are reviewed. The list is growing
and reaches around 4000 K-16 professionals from around the world and is
distributed by at least five other lists including the USGS, DLESE (Digital
Library for Earth Systems Education), National Digital Science Library (NDSL),
and SERC (Carleton College's Science Education Resource Center). There is NO
COMMERCIAL AGENDA and it is active only during the fall and spring semesters
(about 30 mailings per year). Another resource is "RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE
AND GEOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION" at http://webs.cmich.edu/resgi/ . Be sure to take a look at a growing library
of over 200 earth science animations (under "Earth Science Animations") and
movies that will be
useful for enlivening class concepts. Please let me know if you would like me (Mark.Francek@cmich.edu ) to
include you in the mailing.
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NASA Educational
Resource Center now has new hours and a new location! Click here for a flyer about how NASA can help you as
a classroom teacher!
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Science Activities
call for papers! Click here to write for the Journal of Science Activities.
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The Department of Physics & Astronomy,
University of Kentucky, is offering four online physics courses offered for
professional development or graduate credit to intermediate and middle grade
teachers (grades 4-9). The courses emphasize content understanding of physics
topics important for teachers, and promote learning through inquiry
activities. Much of the instructional material is directly transferable to
participants' classrooms.
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The three courses are Light, Temperature and Heat, Electricity and Magnetism, and Force, Motion, and Energy. For further
description and previews, visit http://www.pa.uky.edu/sciworks/intro.htm . Hands-on activities and
learning through concrete experiences play a central role in these courses,
even though they are delivered in a distance learning format. Each is a 1
credit-hour graduate course, and will take approximately 40 hours to
complete.
Individuals may take the class, but we encourage small groups (2 or 3
teachers) to enroll and work through the course together. The courses are
asynchronous: participant groups work at their own location, on a schedule
that they determine in advance.
Contact information:
Joseph P. Straley
Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
(859) 257-3197
sciworks@pa.uky.edu
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