SAMEC E-News: Week of 04-07-06
You can also view an online version of
the newsletter at:
http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/resources/e-news04-07-06.html
1) Upcoming Professional Development
for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
2) Spring and Summer 2006 Courses for
Teachers
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) Mathematics and Science Teaching
Awards
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1) Upcoming Professional Development
for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
Mars
Mania II, Saturday, April 8, 2006. HiRISE Arrives at the Red
Planet! Come and learn about the High Resolution Imaging Science camera
on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter which arrives at Mars in early
March. HiRISE will be able to see objects less than a meter across on
Mars! This next-generation camera will revolutionize the study of the
geology of the Red Planet, the mysterious water cycle on Mars, and will
locate future robotic and human landing sites! For additional
information, contact Loretta at 626-7432 loretta@lpl.arizona.edu or visit: http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/marsmania
_________________________________
A NEW
Fully-funded professional development program for secondary school
teachers in the legendary Galapagos Islands is being launched by
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. This is a special chance for educators
to visit these remote islands; the inspiration for Darwin and home to a
unique ecosystem found no where else on Earth! This year, the program
is open to twenty secondary school classroom teachers, of all
disciplines, who teach full time in Arizona, California, D.C., Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not
hesitate to contact me by email at toyotateach@iie.org or by phone at
(toll-free) 877-832-2457. The deadline for the application is April 21,
2006. To find out complete details, get a timeline, and access the
official online application, visit http://www.iie.org/programs/toyota
_________________________________
The
Archaeology Summer Institute for Educators is a two week program
intended to give educators an introduction to the prehistory of
Arizona, to the archaeological sciences, as well as time to develop and
evaluate curriculum focused on archaeology. The program is open to all
K-12 educators, but is designed for classroom teachers who are already
teaching curriculum centered on archaeology/prehistory or for those who
intend to do so in the near future. Participants will receive a
stipend, re-certification hours, and a certificate of completion.
University of Arizona credit will be available. For more information,
contact: Sara Chavarria at 327-6427 (sara.chavarria@arczip.com) or
Elliott Lax at 623-7223 (elax@cityhighschool.org).
For an application, access our webpage at: http://datamonster.sbs.arizona.ed/IGERT/summer.php
_________________________________
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University presents the NASA-sponsored TeachSpace
Workshops for High School Teachers. The TeachSpace program is
designed to encourage and support the teaching of space and space
exploration in America's schools. NASA, in collaboration with
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is making it possible to train
math, science and technology high school teachers to bring the
excitement of space exploration and human spaceflight topics to
America's math, science, and technology classrooms. TeachSpace
activities and materials make it easy for high school teachers to
excite and motivate students to learn about human spaceflight and
remain active in physics, science, engineering, and math. Participants
will receive: Texts, instructional materials, and access to the
TeachSpace curriculum website, Free room and board and $100 daily
stipend, One graduate-level credit awarded from Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in addition to the academic and professional
development credits, each participant is inducted as an honorary
university alumnus and empowered to grant $1,000 annual scholarships to
their students who wish to study at Embry-Riddle. An expert team
composed of Teaching Science and Technology Inc. instructors and
selected professors from Embry-Riddle conduct the workshops. The
TeachSpace intensive and exciting summer workshops will be held at the
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus in June
2006 as well as throughout the summer in Arizona, Washington,
California, and Texas. In order to participate in the TeachSpace
workshops, teachers must be nominated by their peers, principals or
TeachSpace Alumni. Ideal candidates are mid-career teachers who are
recognized by their colleagues for their dedication, effectiveness, and
leadership. Nominees must be eager to present human space exploration
topics to their students. Selection of final candidates is based on
merit and leadership potential. Please refer to the website: http://www.erau.edu/teachspace,
for more information and to submit your nomination; and feel free to
forward this information to science, math, and technology teachers.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2) Summer 2006 Courses for Teachers
Mathematics
Course for Elementary Certified Teachers. This summer the
Department of Mathematics and the Center for the Mathematics Education
of Latinos/as (CEMELA) will offer Math 596F: “Topics in Mathematics for
Elementary and Middle School Teachers.” The three-unit course
will be held June 5 – 23, 2006 and will meet 1:00 – 3:45 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The location for the course has yet to be
determined as well as techniques to use in teaching these topics, but a
middle school in the Sunnyside or Tucson Unified School District is
being considered. Because the course is a topics course, it will
focus on connections across key areas in mathematics. The pedagogical
approach will emphasize problem solving, use of technology,
communication, and hands-on materials. A variety of topics in the
elementary and middle school mathematics curricula will be examined to
broaden and deepen teachers’ understanding of the content.
Additionally, issues of language and culture will also be
emphasized. Registration for the course will be handled through
the CEMELA office. If you are interested in the course and would
like more information, please contact Kelley Merriam Castro at 626-7606
or kmerriam@email.arizona.edu. Preference for course enrollment
will be given to teachers who are already participants in the CEMELA
project, but the course will be open for other elementary and middle
school teachers. Those not associated with CEMELA will be
registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
_________________________________
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
_________________________________
Genes,
Biotechnology & the Environment. In recent years, the study
of biology has been transformed by the development of new laboratory
techniques in biotechnology: controlled reactions using enzymes and
processes that occur in living cells. By using these techniques to
reveal the information encoded in DNA, researchers have gained amazing
insights into disease processes, human history, and never-before-seen
microbial diversity in soils, water, and even our own bodies. These
same techniques are now also being applied to criminal forensic
investigations and the development of many new medical, agricultural,
and industrial products. In this intensive short course, students will
have the opportunity to learn some of these laboratory techniques and
be introduced to the areas of genetics and gene function, molecular
biology, evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, and computational
biology. High school students, teachers, and teachers-in-training will
work in small groups using state-of-the-art equipment and methods to
learn and apply basic molecular biology skills, in the context of
research questions developed within the class. Teachers: weekdays,
8:30-3:30, July 17 - August 3. HS Students: weekdays, 8:30-3:30, July
18 - August 1. Application deadline is May 31. Registration deadline is
July 13. Class size is limited. For more information visit:
http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/biotech
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Available Resources for K-12
Science and Mathematics Teachers
April is
National Math Awareness Month. The theme for this year is
"Internet Security." During the week of April 10th - 14th,
everyone is invited to join the Department of Mathematics in the
celebration of mathematics and its relevance to the security of
internet transactions. All events are free and open to the
public. Go to http://math.arizona.edu/events/announcements/2006-04-MAM/
for more detailed information about the events or call 621-2056.
Monday April 10:
Math Awareness Week Keynote Address, 4:00 PM, Integrated Learning
Center (ILC), Room 150, Christian Collberg, Computer Science
Department, The University of Arizona, will speak on "Using
Steganography to Trace Software Pirates." A reception with refreshments
will follow the talk.
Tuesday April 11:
4:15 PM, Mathematics Building, Room 501, Faryal Alayont, Department of
Mathematics, The University of Arizona, will speak on "Securing Data
Transmission Using Coding Theory." Refreshments served before the
presentation.
Wednesday April 12:
4:00 PM, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), Room 101, Math
Movie: "The KGB, the Computer, and Me," about Cliff Stoll's
(Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1980) pursuit and capture of a German
hacker who stole information from US military computers over the
internet.
Thursday, April 13 :
2:00 PM, Mathematics Building, Room 402, Nick Rogers, Department of
Mathematics, The University of Arizona, will speak on "Techniques of
Cryptography." Refreshments served before the presentation.
Friday, April 14: 1:00
PM, Mathematics Building, Room 402, William McCallum, Department of
Mathematics, The University of Arizona, will speak on "Basic
Cryptography." Refreshments served before the presentation.
_________________________________
Daily
Solar Images for Arizona Teachers and Beyond is being offered
free and online by Pima CommunityCollege - East Campus Observatory. Using Calcium and Hydrogen Alpha
solar telescopes (donated by Coronado Filters), live, daily images will
be available online. Also requests to move the telescope to areas of
interest on the sun can be made by calling the observatory at
520-206-7610 during the live transmissions. The Calcium telescope
images areas of magnetic activity which may give rise to sunspots and
the Hydrogen Alpha telescope images activity in the chromosphere such
as prominences. On the webpage you will find the current weather at the
observatory as well as two images of the Sun. The left image is the
live image, or most current and the right image is typically an
archived loop of some previous activity. Go to the following url to
seen the live image: http://ecc.pima.edu/~diadevaia/page5.html
Notice the TIMELINE on the image to determine if it is a live image. If
so then you may request, from the observer, the telescope to use and
where you would like the telescope pointed. Students can compare the
image in both wavelengths to determine any connection between magnetic
fields and solar activity. For more information, contact David Iadevaia
at api@DAKOTACOM.NET, Professor
Astronomy/Physics, Pima College, East Campus Observatory
_________________________________
Learn
about the legacy of the Apollo Moon missions and of meteorite mysteries.
The NASA Lunar Meteorite Sample Education Program's goal is to provide
educators with activities and resources that promote students' science
process skills, as well as science and mathematic educational
standards. These standards can be directly correlated to Arizona
science and mathematic standards. Workshop conducted at no charge
within your own school or district office. Minimum of ten
teachers or administrators required. Professional Development may
be available through your school district. Workshop is three hours in
length and is conducted during a week night or Saturday. Workshop
includes: Background information on the Apollo Moon missions; NASA
certification with proper procedures in handling and storing
lunar-meteorite sample disks on loan from NASA Dryden Research Center;
National activity matrices to assist in identifying your state’s
science process skills and Science / Mathematical educational
standards; Classroom activities that promote problem-solving,
communication skills, and teamwork, along with teacher's guides; NASA
Educational Resources; Lunar and meteorite sample disk viewing. For
additional information contact: Sondra Geddes, NASA Lunar
Meteorite Sample Education, (661) 276-2359 or sondra.geddes@dfrc.nasa.gov
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Available Positions for K-12
Science and Mathematics Teachers
Empire
High School has several openings for highly qualified science and
mathematics teachers.
Science openings include Physical Science (Chemistry, Physics,
Integrated Physical Science) and Earth Science. A combined Math/Science
position may be possible. Vail School District, located on the
southeast side of Tucson, is one of the fastest-growing districts in
Arizona. As they progress towards opening the school up to full junior
and senior classes (this year was limited to primarily freshmen and
sophomores), they are looking to add to our innovative and dedicated
team of science teachers. Contact Dr. Michael Frank, Science Chair at
Empire High School, at frankm@vail.k12.az.us,
and/or Cindy Lee, Principal at Empire High School, at leec@vail.k12.az.us If interested,
please apply online at http://www.vail.k12.az.us/employment/index.php
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________
Opportunity
for Arizona Biology Teachers.
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) recently received a
grant from the National Science Foundation to provide curriculum-based
professional development to secondary biology teachers in Arizona.
Being involved in this project will help biology teachers prepare their
students for the upcoming AIMS test in biology, increase knowledge
about selecting and using standards-based curriculum, and will allow
participating teachers to earn 24 graduate credits from Northern
Arizona University. Project PRIME (Promoting Reform through
Instructional Materials that Educate) is a five-year partnership
between BSCS and the CSTL. The goal of this project is to facilitate
the selection and utilization of high quality biology teaching
materials. In particular, we are interested in studying how curriculum
materials that are written not only for the student, but designed to
assist and support the teacher, impact on teacher use and student
performance.
Participating teachers will use the Analysis of Instructional Materials
(AIM) tool developed by West Ed and BSCS to select science teaching
materials that align with the Arizona Science Standard, that meet
current teaching goals such as the integration of inquiry with content,
and that enhance pedagogy and teacher content knowledge. Participants
will pilot this material for two years in their classrooms with a free
classroom set of their selected text. The program will provide content
and curriculum-based professional development in a collaborative
setting to determine how to use these materials efficiently and
effectively. Twenty-four graduate credits (tuition paid by the grant)
and a stipend are available for participating teachers over the period
of the project. Teams of biology teachers are invited to apply for this
project. This project offers benefits for districts, teachers, and
students. Participating districts will have a cadre of teachers trained
in selecting effective standards-based curriculum that meets the goals
and objectives of the district and the state. The professional
development component of Project PRIME will deepen participant content
and pedagogical knowledge which will in turn help teachers better
prepare students for success on the AIMS science test. And students
will have an opportunity to learn science in an exciting and relevant
way.
For more information about Project PRIME see our website, http://www4.nau.edu/cstl/cstl/site/prof_dev/prime/index.html
or contact Kristin Andersen at 928-523-1271 or by e-mail at Kristin.Andersen@nau.edu.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
6) Opportunities for K-12 Students
The
National Youth Science Camp is looking for students to
participate in a three-week long program that honors and challenges the
two most promising high school science students from each state.
Scientists from across the nation who work on some of the most
provocative topics in science today present lectures and hands-on
science seminars and linger to interact informally with student
delegates. Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the
biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff
members. They also may present seminars covering their own areas of
interest and research. The delegates visit Washington D.C. to take
advantage of some of the nation’s premier scientific, governmental, and
cultural facilities. The three-week experience includes two overnight
expeditions into the Monongahela National Forest featuring backpacking,
rock-climbing, caving, mountain-biking, or kayaking opportunities.
Delegates are required to participate in the camp program for its
entirety as the fast-paced activities in the remote location make
coming and going from the NYSC very difficult.
Delegates MUST be able to attend the entire NYSC program. Mail, fax or
hand-deliver your complete application so that it is received no later
than April 17, 2006 at 4pm at the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth
and Families, 1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85007
to the attention of Erin Hart (ehart@az.gov
or 602-542-3423 fax). If your application is late it will not be
reviewed. For more information and to download an application packet,
visit http://www.nysc.org
___________________________________
Genes,
Biotechnology & the Environment. In recent years, the study
of biology has been transformed by the development of new laboratory
techniques in biotechnology: controlled reactions using enzymes and
processes that occur in living cells. By using these techniques to
reveal the information encoded in DNA, researchers have gained amazing
insights into disease processes, human history, and never-before-seen
microbial diversity in soils, water, and even our own bodies. These
same techniques are now also being applied to criminal forensic
investigations and the development of many new medical, agricultural,
and industrial products. In this intensive short course, students will
have the opportunity to learn some of these laboratory techniques and
be introduced to the areas of genetics and gene function, molecular
biology, evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, and computational
biology. High school students, teachers, and teachers-in-training will
work in small groups using state-of-the-art equipment and methods to
learn and apply basic molecular biology skills, in the context of
research questions developed within the class. Teachers: weekdays,
8:30-3:30, July 17 - August 3. HS Students: weekdays, 8:30-3:30, July
18 - August 1. Application deadline is May 31. Registration deadline is
July 13. Class size is limited. For more information visit: http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/biotech
________________________________________________________________________________________________
7) Mathematics and Science Teaching
Awards
Three
teachers were recognized at the Southern Arizona Regional Science and
Engineering Fair: Margaret Wilch of Tucson High; Ivan Yocum of
Doolen Middle School; and Ava Bemer of Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School
________________________________________________________________________________________________
This information was sent to approximately 3065 science and mathematics
educators.
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