SAMEC E-News:  01-19-07

UA Science Teacher's Colloquium Series
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Needs Science Fair Judges
Empire High School Needs Science Fair Judges
Laurel Clark EARTH CAMP - Leadership for a Shared Planet
TUSD Looking for Tutors/Advisors
3rd Native American Student Art Competition themed Education: A Gift Beyond Boundaries
Summer Opportunity for Science Educators
Teaching Mapping Skills to High School or College Students
"An Inconvenient Truth" Donated First Come, First Serve Basis to Teachers
The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants Seeks High School Biology Teachers to Serve as PREP Fellows
The University of Arizona has allocated $40,000 to the Undergraduate Research Fund for the 2007-2008 year
Space Weather News
Educational E-Journal Links
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UA Science Teacher's Colloquium Series
The Science Teacher's Colloquium Series is a forum for K-12 science teachers to learn about cutting edge research at The University of Arizona (UA). From nanotechnology to Earth-sized virtual radio telescopes, the Ice Age to gene science, the UA is advancing in all areas of science as it reinforces its continued position as one of the top public national research universitys. One hour of professional development credit is offered for attending each seminar.  This series is sponsored by The University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory,  the UA/NASA Space Grant Program, the Space Imagery Center and the Science and Mathematics Education Center, which provide funding for this program.  For additional information visit: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/COLPL/ or http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/k12educators or contact samec@lpl.arizona.edu

* January 23, 2007, 7:30-8:30 pm "Mission to the Surface of Saturn’s moon Titan," Martin Tomasko, Research Professor, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (Location: UA Kuiper Space Sciences Lecture Hall Room 308)
* February 27, 2007, 7:30-8:30 pm “Hothouse: Global Climate Change and the Human Condition," Robert Strom,  Professor Emeritus, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (Location: UA Kuiper Space Sciences Lecture Hall Room 308)
* March 27, 2007, 7:30-8:30 pm "New Views of Saturn," Bob Brown, Professor, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
(Location: UA Kuiper Space Sciences Lecture Hall Room 308)
* April 24, 2007, 7:30-8:30 pm "Mars: Up Close and Personal, Alfred McEwen, Professor, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (Location: UA Kuiper Space Sciences Lecture Hall Room 308)
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Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Needs Science Fair Judges
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is looking for science fair judges from 1:00-5:00 pm on January 29, 2007. If interested, please contact
Elaine MacKenzie, elaine.mackenzie@prca-tucson.org, 520-797-0107
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Empire High School Needs Science Fair Judges
Empire High School (in Tucson, near Houghton and I-10) would like to ask for your help judging our Science Fair. They are trying to make a student interview part of their judging process, and are in need of a larger number of judges. Science Fair judging will begin at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. New judges may attend a workshop either Monday, Feb 12, from 6:30-7:30 PM, or Tuesday, Feb 13, from 5:30-6:30 PM (immediately prior to judging). Food will be provided for judges Tuesday evening. Any and all volunteer help is greatly appreciated. Please contact the EHS Volunteer Coordinator, Carla Nichols, at (520) 879-3002 or nicholsc@vail.k12.az.us, or the Science Dept. Chair, Michael Frank (frankm@vail.k12.az.us)
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Laurel Clark EARTH CAMP - Leadership for a Shared Planet
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the UA College of Science team up to offer middle school and high school students an incredible summer learning experience. Youth build leadership skills through experiential learning and conceptual understanding of earth processes, expand awareness of the interdependency of all living things, and create a sense of wonder related to the Sonoran Desert. To receive a packet containing 10 color brochures and a 10 minute promotional DVD, please contact Amy Orchard at 520-883-3083 or aorchard@desertmuseum.org To learn more about our day program with three overnighters (MS) and our 10-day field excursion (HS) visit http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/camp_page.php
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TUSD Looking for Tutors/Advisors
TUSD (Tucson Unified School District) is looking for tutors/advisors for middle school math and/or language arts. Motivated individuals will provide academic remediation and enrichment while building, relationships with students to enhance self-esteem, encourage participation in extra curricular activities and act as a role model. Requirements: Must have a minimum of 60 college credits, reliable transportation, experience with children (preferably older than 10 years) and available to work between 10-19.5 hours per week between the hours of 8 - 4pm. Rate of Pay: $10+ per hour. School sites will work around university student schedules to meet applicant and hiring needs. If interested, please provide the following: Name and phone number, Major/Minor, Resume and/or outline of experiences, Availability of days/hours, Email to: jacqueline.denton@tusd1.org, (520) 225-6732
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3rd Native American Student Art Competition themed Education: A Gift Beyond Boundaries
The Office of Indian Education announces the 3rd Native American Student Art Competition themed Education: A Gift Beyond Boundaries. The 2007 competition requires participants to register their entries online at www.indianeducation.org/sac or call 1-888-747-4994 prior to submitting their artwork to receive a confirmation number. The postmark deadline for the 2007 competition is Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Look for your outreach kit in the mail. For more information, please contact Paula Arevalo at 1-888-747-4994 or email parevalo@kauffmaninc.com
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Summer Opportunity for Science Educators
Paid field research experience & professional development * Conduct cutting-edge field research in ecology and evolution and help design a field research curriculum for high-school science students * work with field biologists at a prairie research site * learn about the tallgrass prairie ecosystem * enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities * housing and travel covered plus modest stipend
To learn more and to apply, visit the Echinacea project web page: http://echinacea.umn.edu/opportunities.htm#k12. For additional information, contact Stuart Wagenius at: swagenius@chicagobotanic.org
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Teaching Mapping Skills to High School or College Students
If you are teaching mapping skills to high school or college students, DLESE has posted an interesting paper examining the
problems students have with various aspects of this study area. Visit:  http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/edu/DLESE/maptutorial/
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"An Inconvenient Truth" Donated First Come, First Serve Basis to Teachers
50,000 DVDs of the acclaimed documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" will be  donated on a first come, first serve basis to teachers across the  country to use as a teaching tool in classrooms. This generous donation was made possible with the cooperation of Paramount Vantage, Participant Productions, The Environmental Media  Association, and private funders. The DVD will be delivered within 6-8 weeks. A free curriculum guide is also available for download.  
Visit: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=250005832&url_num=4&url=http://www.participate.net/
To request the DVD, visit: http://participate.net/educators/DVD/giveaway
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The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants Seeks High School Biology Teachers to Serve as PREP Fellows
Would you like an opportunity to: 1) intern in a university lab in the summer?  2) partner with university scientists to create innovative instructional resources?  3) Work collaboratively to pilot these resources in your classroom?  4) Present at state and national science and education conferences?  5) Develop relationships with teaching colleagues from other states?  6) Be financially rewarded?  
You may be interested in becoming a PREP Fellow!  The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP; http://www.prep.biotech.vt.edu) seeks high school biology teachers to serve as PREP Fellows. In this program, modeled after the Kenan Fellows Program at North Carolina State University, PREP Fellows will collaborate with scientists and educators at three universities to develop educational materials and professional development resources for teachers and scientists that will complement the existing PREP program. High school biology teachers in Arizona, Missouri, and Virginia are eligible to apply. For additional information and an application form, please contact Erin Dolan (BIOoutreach@vt.edu; 540-231-2692 phone; 540-231-7126 fax) or visit the PREP Fellows Program site at: http://www.biotech.vt.edu/outreach/fellows.html
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The University of Arizona has allocated $40,000 to the Undergraduate Research Fund for the 2007-2008 year
The University of Arizona has allocated $40,000 to the Undergraduate Research Fund for the 2007-2008 year.  University undergraduates can apply for a stipend or other expenses needed for a personalized research endeavor. The proposal submitted by the prospective student researcher seeking funds under this program must have the support of a faculty member.  The faculty member will be required to co-sign the proposal and commit to serve as a research mentor and advisor.  Proposals will be judged by a review committee composed of faculty and students.  Applications will be entertained from all disciplines within the University.  A student researcher may not receive a grant and also obtain academic credit for the project; applications for instructional projects will not be considered.  Students wishing to participate in the Undergraduate Research Grant competition may obtain application forms in the Slonaker House, Room 107. Members of the selection committee are willing to attend departmental meetings to answer questions and encourage applications from across the University.  A proposal writing information meeting will be held in the Slonaker House living room on Wednesday, February 7, at 4pm.  Completed applications must be returned to The Honors College no later than 4:00 pm on March 7, 2007.  If you have questions concerning the program, please contact The Honors College, Slonaker House, Room 107, or telephone 621-6901.  Undergraduate Research Grant Committee Patricia MacCorquodale, Chair   
APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 7, 2007
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Space Weather News
Comet McNaught has continued to brighten as it approaches the sun and it is now the brightest comet in 30 years.  In the days ahead, Comet McNaught will pass the sun and emerge in good position for southern hemisphere viewing later this month.  Meanwhile, solar heating will continue to puff up the comet, causing it to brighten even more.  It could become one of the brightest comets in centuries, visible even in daylit skies. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.
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Educational E-Journal Links

* Carolina Biological online tips: http://www.carolina.com/tips/
* CONTINUUM (The first edition of the Governor's P-20 Council newsletter): http://www.governor.state.az.us/P20/
* Education News and Research Reports: http://www.queuenews.com/AZnews
* Education Week: http://www.edweek.org/
* No Child Left Behind: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/
* NSTA Express: http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2006_10_23.htm
* NSTA Science Class (High School Edition): http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-11/member_high.htm
* NSTA Web Seminars:http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp
* Physics Teacher Online:  http://phy.ilstu.edu/jpteo/
* Teacher Magazine: http://www.teachermagazine.org
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This information was sent to approximately 3100 science and mathematics educators and is posted at the SAMEC website:
http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/resources/e-news.html

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