SAMEC E-News: 08-25-06  (Special Edition)

1) Professional Development for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers
2) Opportunities for Faculty, Staff and College Students
3) Opportunities for Tucson Community

You can also view an online version of the newsletter at:
http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/resources/e-news08-25-06.html
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1) Professional Development for K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers

Project ASTRO Training Workshop 2006
Hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, developed by the Astronomical Society of The Pacific and coordinated in Tucson by NOAO, this unique educational program offers teachers instruction in conducting hands-on inquiry-based science activities in their classrooms plus an astronomer partner with whom to present the activities. During the two-day ASTRO workshop, a partnership is forged that blends the teacher’s knowledge of methods and classroom discipline with the astronomer’s knowledge of and passion for astronomy. Together the team brings the science of astronomy alive in the classroom when the astronomer makes four school visits during the academic year. Those activities in turn may serve as springboards into other lessons in math, physics, chemistry, and even writing that may be used to meet various standards. In the workshops both partners receive Universe At Your Fingertips, a resource book containing seventy-seven lesson plans organized progressively from the solar system to galaxies. The workshop also includes a trip to Kitt Peak National Observatory for the Nightly Observing Program.

Date: September 29 and 30, 2006
Place: U of A Student Union
Time: Friday, 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Saturday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Cost: Free

Applications to join the Project ASTRO program are available for teachers and for astronomers.
The application deadline is September 11, 2006. Completed applications may be faxed to Connie Walker at 520-318-8451 or mailed to her at 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85719. For any further questions, feel free to contact Connie at cwalker@noao.edu or 520-318-8535. http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/
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Family ASTRO Training Workshops 2006
Hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Project ASTRO became so popular with students that their families asked how they might enjoy similar activities. Family ASTRO meets that demand by offering to train “event leaders” to hold one to four thematic events. These thematic events take hands-on inquiry-based activities similar to those in Project ASTRO and move them to the extracurricular arena where parents and siblings can join the fun. Less formal than classroom instruction, these events focus on the moon, the planets, the night sky, and light in ways that get families together and thinking creatively while having a lot of fun. The typical event lasts about two hours. Each training workshop teaches event leaders how to conduct one of the four events mentioned above and lasts about five hours. During the workshop the activities are modeled and additional facets of hosting the event are addressed. Each event leader receives a leader kit containing all the basic materials necessary for organizing the event. Available for purchase are additional games that may be used in the events or given to families to take home.

Dates: October 5, Cosmic Decoders; October 12, Race to The Planets; October 19, Night Sky Adventure, October 26, Moon Mission
Place: National Optical Astronomy Observatory headquarters, 950 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson
Time: 4:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: $25.00 per workshop, including dinner

Applications to join the Family ASTRO program are available for teachers and for others.
The application deadline is 3 weeks before a training. Completed applications may be faxed to Robert Wilson at 520-318-8451 or mailed to him at 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85719. For any further questions, feel free to contact Robert at rwilson@noao.edu or 520-318-8440. http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/family/
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2) Opportunities for Faculty, Staff and College Students

Family ASTRO Training Workshops 2006
Hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Project ASTRO became so popular with students that their families asked how they might enjoy similar activities. Family ASTRO meets that demand by offering to train “event leaders” to hold one to four thematic events. These thematic events take hands-on inquiry-based activities similar to those in Project ASTRO and move them to the extracurricular arena where parents and siblings can join the fun. Less formal than classroom instruction, these events focus on the moon, the planets, the night sky, and light in ways that get families together and thinking creatively while having a lot of fun. The typical event lasts about two hours. Each training workshop teaches event leaders how to conduct one of the four events mentioned above and lasts about five hours. During the workshop the activitiesare modeled and additional facets of hosting the event are addressed. Each event leader receives a leader kit containing all the basic materials necessary for organizing the event. Available for purchase are additional games that may be used in the events or given to families to take home.

Dates: October 5, Cosmic Decoders; October 12, Race to The Planets; October 19, Night Sky Adventure, October 26, Moon Mission
Place: National Optical Astronomy Observatory headquarters, 950 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson
Time: 4:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: $25.00 per workshop, including dinner

Applications to join the Family ASTRO program are available for teachers and for others.
The application deadline is 3 weeks before a training. Completed applications may be faxed to Robert Wilson at 520-318-8451 or mailed to him at 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85719. For any further questions, feel free to contact Robert at rwilson@noao.edu or 520-318-8440. http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/family/
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3) Opportunities for Tucson Community

Family ASTRO Training Workshops 2006
Hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Project ASTRO became so popular with students that their families asked how they might enjoy similar activities. Family ASTRO meets that demand by offering to train “event leaders” to hold one to four thematic events. These thematic events take hands-on inquiry-based activities similar to those in Project ASTRO and move them to the extracurricular arena where parents and siblings can join the fun. Less formal than classroom instruction, these events focus on the moon, the planets, the night sky, and light in ways that get families together and thinking creatively while having a lot of fun. The typical event lasts about two hours. Each training workshop teaches event leaders how to conduct one of the four events mentioned above and lasts about five hours. During the workshop the activitiesare modeled and additional facets of hosting the event are addressed. Each event leader receives a leader kit containing all the basic materials necessary for organizing the event. Available for purchase are additional games that may be used in the events or given to families to take home.

Dates: October 5, Cosmic Decoders; October 12, Race to The Planets; October 19, Night Sky Adventure, October 26, Moon Mission
Place: National Optical Astronomy Observatory headquarters, 950 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson
Time: 4:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: $25.00 per workshop, including dinner

Applications to join the Family ASTRO program are available for teachers and for others.
The application deadline is 3 weeks before a training. Completed applications may be faxed to Robert Wilson at 520-318-8451 or mailed to him at 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85719. For any further questions, feel free to contact Robert at rwilson@noao.edu or 520-318-8440. http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/family/
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The next SAMEC E-news is scheduled for distribution on 09-01-06
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http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/resources/e-news.html

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