e-news03-03-06

SAMEC E-News: Week of 03-03-06

1) Upcoming Professional Development for K-12 Science Teachers
2) Upcoming Courses for Teachers Spring 2006
3) Available Resources for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
4) Available Positions for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
5) Opportunities for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
6) Opportunities for K-12 Students
7) Outreach Opportunities for College Students and Faculty
8) Mathematics and Science Teaching Awards
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1) Upcoming Professional Development for K-12 Science Teachers

Changes in Altitudes Program opportunity for Teachers. Applications for the Changes in Altitudes Program for 2006 are now being taken and are due April 7! During the course of 2005, the Arizona Space Grant Consortium (AZSGC) began a new program, Changes in Altitudes, to provide the opportunity for teachers and students to fly atmospheric experiments on high altitude weather balloons. We are now entering our 2nd year and once again are seeking interested teachers, who would like to apply for this great opportunity. The program, which is administered by the Northern Arizona University NASA Space Grant program, is made possible by the Education and Public Outreach program of The University of Arizona’s Phoenix Mars Lander 2007 mission. Each year of the 4-year program, the AZSGC will select five teachers from across Arizona who will be provided with hands-on training, building and launching of small balloon satellites to become part of a state-wide balloon satellite program. The program will support these teachers to develop four small student teams at their home schools to design, build, and launch four small payloads spaced over a two-year period. We look forward to hearing from you and reading about how this type of program would benefit your students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 928/523-8067 or via email at spacegrant@nau.edu. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 7th. Visit our website for the application and further information about this program, which you can access by clicking on the “Changes in Altitudes” button on the homepage at http://www.spacegrant.nau.edu
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Teacher Internship in Plant Genomics, the time is now to apply. What is the Teacher Internship in Plant Genomics? The program is designed to provide biology teachers an opportunity to gain real lab experience in plant genomics research laboratories at the University of Arizona. The program runs 6-8 weeks during June and July and includes the research experience, relevant short courses with material that can be included in the classroom, the development of a lesson plan for the classroom and the opportunity to present your research or lesson at the annual poster session. This research experience can be used as the research portion for the Master's in General Biology at the University of Arizona. Interested and want more information? To learn more about the Teacher Internship in Plant Genomics explore last year's web site: http://biotech.biology.arizona.edu/RET/TIPG.html Contact Nadja Anderson: nadja@email.arizona.edu   For an application, visit our website at: http://biotech.biology.arizona.edu/RET/application.html
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The National Optical Astronomy Observatory invites you to come join the GLOBE at Night Program for a Star-Hunting Party during March 22–29, 2006! What does it mean to REALLY watch the stars? When you look at the night sky, do you see an endless swath of glittering jewels set against a deep velvet black sky? Or do you see only a dozen or so pinpricks of light doggedly shining through the soft amber glow of streetlamps? And how could streetlamps make a difference in the way the sky looks? Join thousands of other students, families, and educators by participating in GLOBE at Night – an international event designed to observe and record the visible stars as a means of measuring light pollution in a given location. Participation is open to anyone – anywhere in the world – who can get outside and look skyward during the week of March 22-29, 2006! There is no cost to participate in GLOBE at Night. Help us reach our goal of 5000 observations from around the world! The quality of the night sky for stellar observations is impacted by several factors including human activities. By locating specific constellations in the sky, students from around the world will learn how the lights in their community contribute to light pollution. Students will explore the different light sources in their community learning the relationship between science, technology and society, and they will report their observations online through a central database allowing for authentic worldwide research and analysis. The observations made during GLOBE at Night will help students and scientists together assess how the quality of the night sky varies around the world. Here’s How to Participate in GLOBE at Night! Visit http://www.globe.gov/globeatnight Download the GLOBE at Night Activity Packet Choose a clear night during the week of March 22-29, 2006 Find the constellation Orion Compare what you see to the Magnitude Charts Report your observations on our website Sign up for the GLOBE at Night mailing list to receive the results of this international event! What Students Will Learn: How to locate and identify constellations in the night sky How their view of the night sky is impacted by light pollution How science and technology have produced local and global challenges How light energy is distributed at local and global scales How effective and efficient different light sources are in their environment About economic factors involved in light pollution in their community How to understand patterns of human population distribution For more information please contact globeatnight@globe.gov    GLOBE at Night is a collaboration between The GLOBE Program, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Centro de Apoyo a la Didactica de la Astronomia (CADIAS), Windows to the Universe, and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI).    Visit www.globe.gov/globeatnight.
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2) Upcoming Courses for Teachers Spring 2006

The Evolution Lectures: change of venue. Due to the overwhelming response to the lecture series, please note the new location, Social Sciences Building Auditorium, just west of Old Main. We will have students showing the way from the old location. Tuesday, March 7, Professor Chris Impey will discuss Cosmic Evolution: From Big Bang to Biology. Certificates of attendance for one hour of professional development credit for teachers will be available after the lecture. For more information, please visit http://cos.arizona.edu/evolution/
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Oceans: Ecology, Human Impact and Sustainability, A Free 8-Hour Workshop for Teachers, Sunday, April 23, 2006, 8 am-5 pm, Green Fields Country Day School, 6000 N Camino de la Tierra in Tucson, Traci Holstein (Green Fields Country Day School). This free, non-credit workshop will cover the basics of marine biology and ecology. We will begin with an overview of marine species, including performing some interesting dissections. Once you have fallen in love with these creatures, we will cover human impact on the ocean. A focus area will include an overview of the history of commercial fishing and the impact of that practice. We will also discuss other issues, such as habitat destruction, aquaculture, and pollution. Breakfast munchies and beverages will be provided. There will be a break for lunch; surrounding food venues include Sonic, Wendy's, Rubios, Eegees, Taco Bell, and Nico's Mexican Food. Please bring a notebook and an open mind! To register for this workshop, please email Traci Holstein at undrthc@cox.net.
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New UA Course Offering: "Indigenous Education in a 21st Century World: Creating Consciousness, Theory and Praxis Where It Counts?" (LRC 595a-031, May 13 - 26, 2006, 8 am - 12:30 pm. Instructor: Professor Greg Cajete, University of New Mexico. This course will explore the instructor's personal synthesis of the "shared metaphors" which American Indians hold in common with regard to Tribal education and the nature of Indigenous education. The lectures, discussions, assignments and readings will examine the creative possibilities inherent in the introduction of an Indigenous frame of reference toward the development of a contemporary philosophy of American Indian education and orientations to learning and teaching. The class will explore a "culturally-informed alternative" to curriculum and instruction, which advocates the development of a contemporary, community-based education process, which is founded upon traditional Tribal values, orientations and principles, but simultaneously utilizes the most appropriate concepts and technologies of modern education. Indigenous education offers a highly creative vehicle for thinking about the evolving expressions of American Indian cultures as they enter the 21st century. Contact: Tracy Williams at tmw@email.arizona.edu
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Galapagos Marine Ecology (UA ECOL 596O) still has openings for this Summer 2006. Course takes place July 2-28 in the Galapagos, Ecuador and is designed for secondary school science teachers. This will be our fourth year offering this exciting and unique opportunity. Spend almost one month doing your own individual research project in the Galapagos and working with a local school teaching English through Biology. Contact Dr. Katrina Mangin at the UA at mangin@u.arizona.edu or Tom Lutz in Phoenix at tomvlutz@hotmail.com or visit our website at http://geocities.com/galapagosislands2005/principal.html
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3) Available Resources for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers

Pima College Physics Phun Nite, Friday, March 31, 2006, 6:00-8:00 pm, Pima Community College Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W. Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ, 85709. A gang of mad scientists battles the forces of nature at Pima Community College's physics night, along with other "phun" demonstrations. Seating is limited; early arrival recommended. Free. 520/206-6932.
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4) Available Positions for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers

The Wildcat School, a college preparatory charter school with a close connection to the University of Arizona, is searching for highly qualified teachers (grades 6-7) to implement a project-based curriculum. Teachers are needed in the areas of science, math, social studies, English, fine arts, information technology, Spanish, and physical education. Candidates should have successful experience with low-income and language-minority students and their families. Salary and benefits commensurate with background and experience. For further information, contact: Richard Reyes at director@wildcatschool.org. Send resume and letter of interest to: Teacher Search Committee Wildcat School, 1010 N. Finance Center Dr., Suite 200 Tucson, AZ 85710
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Empire High School in the award-winning Vail School District has several openings for highly qualified science and mathematics teachers for the coming school year. Science openings include Physical Science (chemistry, physics, integrated physical science) and Earth Science. A combined Math/Science position may be possible. If interested, please apply online at http://www.vail.k12.az.us/employment/index.php and contact Dr. Michael Frank, Science Chair at Empire High School, at frankm@vail.k12.az.us, or Cindy Lee, Principal at Empire High School, at leec@vail.k12.az.us
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Arizona Science Center is looking for instructors to develop and/or teach a variety of content and pedagogical workshops for teachers. Selected instructors will receive $250.00 for the development of a workshop, and $120.00 per workshop taught. Each four-hour, professional development workshop will be offered three times over the summer: at an east and west valley location, and at the Center. Tentative topics include: Organisms and Environments, Forces, Motion, and Magnets, Earth’s Processes and Systems, Weather, Integrating Math and Science in The Elementary Classroom, Teaching Science in The Elementary Classroom. To be considered, you must have: A master’s degree in the subject area, or a bachelor’s degree in the subject area and demonstrated proficiency, and classroom teaching experience. Interviews will begin in February and continue until positions are filled. If you are interested, please submit a letter of intent detailing your experience and education to: Dianne McKee Educational Services Manager Arizona Science Center 600 E. Washington Street Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (602) 716-2000, ext. 2564
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5) Opportunities for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers

Do you have an A+ project? It could be worth $27,000! Over the past 10 years, ING has honored excellence and innovation in teaching through the ING Unsung Heroes awards program. Each year, 100 K-12 educators with innovative projects are selected to receive grants of $2,000. Three of those are chosen to receive an additional $25,000, $10,000 or $5,000. Applications are due by May 1, 2006. For more information about this program, visit: http://www.ing.com/us/unsungheroes
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51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF): March 20-25, 2006: The 51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 20-25, 2006 at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church, Tucson, AZ.    $15,000+ in prizes will be awarded including scholarships to the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. Top honors will include participation (grades 8-12) in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Indianapolis, IN, May 6-13, 2006 and nomination to the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge competition for grades 5-8. SARSEF participants are chosen as the top projects at local school fairs throughout southern Arizona. SARSEF project registration is on-line at www.sarsef.org, deadline: March 6, 2006. A Registration Worksheet is offered for data collection preparing for on-line registration and for gathering needed parental approvals for student participation. $5 per project registration fees may now be paid on-line by credit card, or by check or purchase order (postmarked by March 17, 2006). All projects from a school are to be submitted and fees paid together as a group. Merchandise will be available at the Fair. Student photos professionally taken will be available for purchase from the SARSEF website pending receipt of completed Approval for Use of Image forms. Questions? Email: director@sarsef.org or shirleyb@email.arizona.edu (520) 621-8646. SARSEF Director: Shirley Briggs. Additional teacher/student resources are available from http://www.sarsef.org
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6) Opportunities for K-12 Students

Laurel Clark EARTH CAMP: Leadership for a Shared Planet, an Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum/UA College of Science learning collaboration. Gather up your Middle School students for an incredible summer opportunity! Conceived to honor the legacy of Columbia space shuttle astronaut Laurel Clark, the goal of Earth Camp is to educate and inspire youth to build leadership skills through experiential learning and conceptual understanding of earth processes. Earth Camp seeks to expand youth awareness of the interdependency of all living things, and create a sense of wonder related to the Sonoran Desert, ecosystems worldwide, as well as the “awe-inspiring” universal perspective.    Earth Camp will challenge youth entering grades 7, 8 and 9 to explore water ecology and sustainability issues by interacting with live animals, harvesting saguaro fruit, camping in the desert, on Mount Lemmon, and on Kitt Peak, coring trees for tree-ring analysis, exploring behind-the-scenes at ASDM, looking for water on Mars, scanning the heavens through telescopes, viewing the earth from space, sketching/writing in field journals, creating a personal camp web page, and preparing presentations to share with their families during a Learning Celebration at the conclusion of the camp. A two-week experience (“base camp” at ASDM the first week and University of Arizona the second week) with day-trips and three overnight adventures, Earth Camp will engage youth with hands-on investigations everyday and provide opportunities to explore the museum’s mission of living in harmony with the natural world. Lunch included for all participants. Space is limited to 20 youth. Participants are selected by application. Applications due: Postmarked by Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Early applications are accepted. Ages: Entering grades 7, 8 or 9 in the fall of 2006. Location: ASDM (1st week) and UA (2nd week) Instructors: Amy Orchard and Sanlyn Buxner Dates: June 5-9 AND 12-17, 2006 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (inc. lunch) with 3 overnights Fee: $750 (full and partial scholarships available) Call Amy Orchard at (520)883-3083 for further details or visit the website at http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/camp_page.php
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51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF): March 20-25, 2006: The 51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 20-25, 2006 at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church, Tucson, AZ. $15,000+ in prizes will be awarded including scholarships to the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. Top honors will include participation (grades 8-12) in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Indianapolis, IN, May 6-13, 2006 and nomination to the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge competition for grades 5-8. SARSEF participants are chosen as the top projects at local school fairs throughout southern Arizona. SARSEF project registration is on-line at www.sarsef.org, deadline: March 6, 2006. A Registration Worksheet is offered for data collection preparing for on-line registration and for gathering needed parental approvals for student participation. $5 per project registration fees may now be paid on-line by credit card, or by check or purchase order (postmarked by March 17, 2006). All projects from a school are to be submitted and fees paid together as a group. Merchandise will be available at the Fair. Student photos professionally taken will be available for purchase from the SARSEF website pending receipt of completed Approval for Use of Image forms. Questions? Email: director@sarsef.org or shirleyb@email.arizona.edu (520) 621-8646. SARSEF Director: Shirley Briggs. Additional teacher/student resources are available from http://www.sarsef.org
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Biotechnology Summer Institute for High School Students. JobPath, Inc. in collaboration with Pima Community College West will offer a High School Biotechnology Institute this summer. It is a four credit Introduction to Biotechnology course that will be taught to high school students. Students will gain hands on lab experience and visit biotechnology employers. They will attend class for 4 hours per day for 5 weeks and will receive an $800 stipend for completing the course. Dates are not yet available. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2006. For more information contact JobPath at 520/324-0402 x 207 or Lisa Werner at PCC at 520/206-6002 lwerner@pima.edu. The application is available at http://www.jobpath.net
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CATALYST and CURIE Summer Programs at Cornell University's College of Engineering. The one-week programs are designed for African American, Native American, and Latino high school students who excel in math, science, and have a desire to learn more about careers in engineering. The CATALYST Program requires that applicants have completed at least algebra I and advanced in science through the tenth-grade level. The CURIE Program, designed specifically for high school girls, requires that qualified applicants have completed at least algebra II and advanced in science through the eleventh-grade level. Both programs require that the applicant have at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 grading scale. Selection will also be based on the quality of a written essay, extra curricular experience, and interests. The CATALYST Program is open to all students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the fall and the CURIE program is open to all girls who will be juniors or seniors in the fall. Both programs have a size limit of 25 students, a tuition of $450, and a starting date of July 22-29, 2006. Room, board, and other expenses will be paid by Cornell University. Full travel and tuition stipends are available for the CATALYST Program based on need. If you have any questions about the programs or site access problems, please contact Cornell's Office of Diversity Programs in Engineering at 607/255-0735. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2006. For more information and application forms for the CATALYST Program click on http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/cataylst    For more information and application forms for the CURIE Program click on http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/curie
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7) Outreach Opportunities for College Students and Faculty

Judges and Volunteers Needed for 51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF): March 20-25, 2006. The 51st Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 20-25, 2006 at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church, Tucson, AZ. Nearly 300 judges and many more volunteers are needed to make the event a success! Many teachers, parents and school fair directors help at the SARSEF to learn more about fair participation and to meet others in the region. Over 1300 student projects representing grades K-12 are expected to compete. Over 7000 visitors are expected to come to the Fair. Your help is needed! Judging takes place on Tues. March 21, 7:30am-4pm. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Volunteers are needed throughout the Fair and may sign up for 2-hour shifts. Judge and volunteer registration is available on-line at http://www.sarsef.org/judgesvolunteersmentors.htm. Questions? Email: director@sarsef.org or shirleyb@email.arizona.edu (520) 621-8646. SARSEF Director: Shirley Briggs. Additional information is available from http://www.sarsef.org
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8) Mathematics and Science Teaching Awards

Call for Nominations for The Southern Arizona Section of the American Chemical Society announces its 2006 Southern Arizona ACS High School Chemistry Teaching Award. The purpose is to recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in Southern Arizona. The nature of the award consists of a plaque, a cash prize of $500 for the teacher, and a $500 donation to the teacher’s school for use by the awardee for educational supplies. The winner will automatically be nominated by the section for the American Chemical Society's annual Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching. The award will be presented at the Southern Arizona Section's April awards reception. The awardee, the nominator, and selected students will be invited to attend. The award, originally funded by Research Corporation of Tucson, is made possible due to the generosity of the members of the local section.   Past Recipients include: Ms. Brenda Wolpa, Canyon del Oro High School. Ms. Ann Marie Condes, Catalina Foothills High School Ms. Teresa Potter, Rio Rico High School Ms. Ellen Caldwell, Palo Verde High School Ms. Gayle Brickert-Albreicht, Tucson High School Ms. Elyse Wexler, Sabino High School Ms. Patricia Merha, Amphitheater High School   Eligibility: Any high school chemistry teacher in the Southern Arizona Section geographic area (Pima, Pinal, Greenlee, Graham and Santa Cruz counties) may be nominated for the award. How to Nominate: If you know a teacher deserving of this award, please send the name of the teacher, the school and a brief statement describing why you believe the teacher is deserving of this award to Steven Brown, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona P. O. Box 210041 Tucson, AZ 85721 0041 Nominations received by March 24 will be considered for this year’s award. Nominations received after March 24 will be considered for next year’s award. For additional information please contact Steve Brown at: 520/621 9980 or sbrown@u.arizona.edu
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This information was sent to approximately 3050 science and mathematics educators and is posted at the SAMEC website:
http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/resources/e-news.html
This e-newsletter is provided to you by The University of Arizona Science and Mathematics Education Center,
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu