SAMEC E-news 09-14-07

SAMEC E-news 09-14-07

SAMEC Outreach Seminar — "BioME" and "Teaching Math Through Mariachi Music"

Pollinators Habitat Kit Workshop

Natural History of the Sonoran Desert Course

The Astronomy Research Based Science Education Program at the NOAO

Seeks Applications

Mock Interviews for Pre-health Students

Human Origins Teacher Workshop: Discovering Your Origins Using DNA

Genetics for Teachers

ASTA Board Seeks Nominations for Recording Secretary of ASTA

NASA Engineering Design Challenge

Upcoming UA Programs of Interest

Educational E-Journal Links

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SAMEC Outreach Seminar — New University of Arizona Outreach Programs—"BioME" and "Teaching Math Through Mariachi Music"

October 2, 2007, 4:00-5:00 pm

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Kuiper Space Sciences Bldg., Room 309

Guest Speakers:

Stacey Forsyth, Bio5 Education Outreach Director

Elizabeth Arnot-Hopffer, Tucson GEAR UP Project Associate Director

BioME (Biology from Molecules to Ecosystems) is a new five-year program designed to bring University of Arizona life sciences graduate students into Tucson K-12 classrooms to help spark students' interest. http://bio5.arizona.edu/bioME/

"Teaching Math Through Mariachi Music" — The Tucson GEAR UP Project is part of The University of Arizona’s Office of Early Academic Outreach. The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and serves eighth-graders in 14 area middle schools. Last summer, 7th graders from Tucson GEAR UP Project schools participated in afternoon academic enrichment programs such as the Math & Mariachi program. They were invited to perform for their families and friends at UA’s Crowder Hall. The goal of GEAR UP is to increase the number of low-income, first-generation students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. The Tucson GEAR UP Project will continue to serve these students through high school graduation.

Refreshments will be provided at 3:45 pm — (free parking is available in the visitor (2nd St.) parking garage)

SAMEC Outreach Seminars provide a forum for the K-12 community to share information and resources.

Contact: mailto:samec@lpl.arizona.edu or 621-8309, http:// samec.lpl.arizona.edu/k12educators/seminars.html

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Pollinators Habitat Kit Workshop

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Science and Math Education Center, University of Arizona

Sponsored by the Wallace Research Foundation

Limited to 25 participants, participants will receive: Access to Pollinators Habitat Kit and Desert Museum expertise for planning and maintaining pollinator gardens; 3 hours of professional development credit; $50 stipend

October 13, 2007

Time: 9 am – 12:15 pm

Place: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743

Education Annex Building

To register, please call Beth Rice at 520-883-3025.

Full Description and Agenda: http://desertmuseum.org/center/edu/schools.php

Workshop Background:

The Desert Museum's Pollinators Habitat Kit provides an opportunity for school communities to learn the educational and conservation benefits of creating a Habitat for Pollinators. For over a decade, biologists have been concerned about apparent declines in pollinators, especially those that migrate across landscapes and between regions. Schools can make an important contribution to pollinator conservation. The Pollinators Habitat Kit contains the background materials and instructions necessary to implement a student-centered project in the design, planning, installation and maintenance of a pollinator garden. Garden projects require teamwork, research, communication, observation, experimentation and a host of other skills to be successful, and can be the focus for continuing science, art, math, social studies or even technology projects.

During this brief workshop, teachers will be introduced to the ecology of pollinators, the logistics of planning and planting a pollinator garden and to the resources available in the Pollinator Garden Kit. Participating teachers who decide to pursue a pollinator garden project at their schools will receive additional support from desert museum staff during the school year.

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Natural History of the Sonoran Desert Course

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Science and Math Education Center, University of Arizona

Have you ever thought that you would like to become more knowledgeable about your desert surroundings? This two-day natural history course is the answer. Through indoor lectures and outdoor hikes, both on the museum grounds as well as in the Tucson Mountains, we cover the following topics: definition of a desert biome, climate of the Sonoran Desert, geology of the Southwest and southern Arizona in particular, Sonoran Desert flora, fauna and ecology, environmental issues and conservation initiatives of the region, and human history of the region.

This course is introductory level, and it is a requirement for those who are pursuing the Desert Museum’s Naturalist Certificate program (http://desertmuseum.org/center/edu/natcert.php).

Dates: Oct 20, 2007 - Oct 21, 2007

Times: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Professional Development Credits: 14 hours

Fees: $154 (non-ASDM members); $140 (ASDM members)

(indicate in the comment box that you are a teacher and would like professional development credits)

Course Outline

Saturday Oct. 20

8:00 – 8:30 Introduction

8:30 - 9:15 Geology of the Southwest

9:15 – 10:45 Sonoran Desert Climate, Ecology and Biotic Subdivisions

10:45 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 12:00 Mammals and Birds of the Sonoran Desert

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 Close-up Encounters with Several Sonoran Desert

Species

1:30 – 2:00 Sea of Cortez and the Sea Food Watch Program

2:00 – 2:15 Break

2:15 – 4:00 Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery programs

Behind the Scenes tour

4:00 – 4:30 Summary/ Questions/ Resources

Sunday, Oct 21

8:00 – 11:00 Hike covering Botany, Ecology, Invasive Plants

11:00 – 11:45 Invasive Species in the Sonoran Desert

11:45– 12:45 Lunch

12:45 – 1:45 Ethnobotany – People Living in the Desert

1:45 - 2:45 Deep History of the Sonoran Desert

2:45 – 3:00 Break

3:00 – 4:00 Climate Change and Water Resources in the Southwest

4:00 –4:30 Summary

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The Astronomy Research Based Science Education Program at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory seeks applications for the summer 2008 program

Would you like to study astronomy and observe at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona? Then click here http://www.noao.edu/outreach/arbse/ for the link to information and the on-line application for an exciting program designed for high school science teachers. You will learn how to acquire astronomy data and support your students in conducting authentic astronomy research projects.

The 2008 program includes three primary elements: 1) A 12-week online distance learning program with an emphasis on spectroscopy and data imaging during spring 2008, 2) A 10 day in-residence workshop in late June (we pay a stipend, partial room & board, and up to $500 for travel) at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, including several nights of research observing at Kitt Peak National Observatory, a world-class observatory complex high above the Sonoran desert of southern Arizona; 3) On-going support and observing opportunities for you and your students in the arena of astronomy research.

We are now recruiting experienced (three or more years of classroom teaching) science teachers for this project. Teachers who are motivated to start or enhance a program of astronomical research at their school are strongly encouraged to apply. More information about the program and an online application are available at http://www.noao.edu/education/arbse.

Application deadline for the 2008 program is October 31, 2007. You must apply on-line. Notification of acceptance will be by Nov. 21. Questions: (520) 318-8526 or mailto:outreach@noao.edu.

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Mock Interviews for Pre-health Students

Family and community medicine, in collaboration with Career Services and Pre-Health will hold mock interviews for pre-health students. The activity helps students practice for their admission interviews for programs in Pharmacy, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, and all allied health that require interviews. This event is open to all pre-health students. Details for the workshop are as follows: Saturday, September 22, 2007 UA Career Services, 4th Floor Student Union.

Interviewer Check In Begins: 8:15am

Welcome/Overview: (optional) 8:30am

Interview I: 8:45am

Interview II: 9:15am

BREAK: 9:45am

Interview III: 10:00am

Interview IV: 10:30am

Discussion: 11:00am

A continental breakfast will be provided. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your first scheduled interview. You will be asked to interview 2-4students. The entire interview including feedback will last 30 minutes. The interview should be conducted in the same manner as that of a real pre-admissions interview. After talking with each student, we ask that you spend the final 5-10 minutes providing feedback to the interviewee. This feedback will provide the individual, some insight into how she/he comes across in a personal interview. We thank you in advance for your continued support, and look forward to working with you this year. Your contribution of time and expertise will greatly benefit all the students who participate in the Mock Interviews. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Stacy Lopez at 621-5531. __________________________________________________________

Human Origins Teacher Workshop: Discovering Your Origins Using DNA

A Free 7-hour Non-Credit Workshop for Teachers

10 am - 3 pm, Saturday, November 3, 2007 (Part 1)

AND

10 am - 12 noon, Saturday, November 17, 2007 (Part 2)

Keating Building, Room 103

1657 E Helen St

The University of Arizona Main Campus in Tucson

Presented by Trish Wheeler, M.S. candidate at The University of Arizona

Learn how biotechnology is used to tell the story of human origins by extracting, amplifying, and analyzing your own DNA. As teachers, we often define DNA as "a molecule that stores genetic information". If you are interested in enriching this explanation with a personal account of your family's genetic linage based on your analysis of your own DNA, then this is a workshop you do not want to miss. The Human Origins Genotyping Laboratory at the University of Arizona conducts public testing for National Geographic's Genographic Project https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/

Normally the charge for this service is $100, but during this workshop, your DNA analysis will be free of charge! At this exclusive workshop for teachers, the Human Origins Genotyping Laboratory is making its resources available for teachers to learn about the science and tools that make it possible for DNA to tell each individual's story of a 60,000-year journey. Courtesy of a grant from the Science Foundation Arizona, in-service Arizona science teachers who attend both workshop sessions will receive an $80 stipend. The workshop will be limited to a maximum of 20 teachers. To register, please email Ellie Warder at mailto:warder@u.arizona.edu or call (520) 621-5903. __________________________________________________________

Genetics for Teachers

An on-line course for secondary school science teachers

BIOC 650, 3-units of graduate credit

Starts: October 1, 2007

Instructors: Lisa Elfring, Ph.D. and Lisa Rezende, Ph.D.

Recent discoveries in genetics and new molecular technologies stand to impact our lives and the world. To help you understand how, this course begins by considering genetics at the molecular level. Assuming no prior knowledge of molecular structure, we will introduce the properties that make the key molecules involved in storing and disseminating genetic information ideal for their roles. Building upon this molecular understanding of the gene, we will discuss patterns of heredity, learn how to make and interpret pedigrees, and describe how genetic errors impact human health. Where appropriate, we will connect this basic science with applications that have the potential to affect our lives. This online course will begin October 1, 2007, with new units beginning each Monday. This will be an intensive course, taking place over eight weeks. Online assignments will include weekly discussions, activities, and quizzes, as well as a variety of written assignments. The class is designed for in-service secondary school teachers who have taken Introductory Biology or the equivalent. Courtesy of the AZ-Start grant funded by Science Foundation Arizona, in-service Arizona teachers who enroll in this on-line course will receive a $440 scholarship towards the cost of the course. You would be responsible for $624 plus a $25 application fee (if necessary). To register, contact Ellie Warder at <mailto:warder@u.arizona.edu> or (520) 621-5903. More information is available at <http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/coursesforteachers.htm>.

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ASTA Board Seeks Nominations for Recording Secretary of ASTA

The ASTA Board is currently accepting nominations for Recording Secretary of ASTA. Katy Wilkins has served faithfully for two consecutive terms and cannot run for a third term. We are therefore searching for someone willing to serve as Recording Secretary. This position usually requires about 6 Saturday meetings a year, usually held in Maricopa County, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and involves helping out with the ASTA conference in October. As Recording Secretary, you are responsible for taking minutes of the board meeting and posting those minutes for board members to review. The Recording Secretary is elected for a 2-year term with the opportunity to serve for two consecutive terms. This is a great opportunity to become more involved in ASTA. If you are interested in running for Recording Secretary, please send an email stating your interest along with a short description of your teaching experience to Phil McBride at mailto:phil.mcbride@eac.edu

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NASA Engineering Design Challenge

As NASA plans to return to the moon, plant growth will be an important part of space exploration. NASA scientists anticipate that astronauts may be able to grow plants on the moon in specialized plant growth chambers. Come participate and build your own lunar growth chamber in the NASA Engineering Design Challenge! Through the NASA Engineering Design Challenge, elementary, middle and high school students will: Design, build, and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers Receive cinnamon basils seeds flown on STS-118 Test lunar growth chambers by growing and comparing both space-flown and earth-based control seeds Visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge to register and to receive more information about the NASA Engineering Design Challenge. You can also sign up for the NASA Express listserv to receive e-mail updates about the challenge and other NASA education activities. Join the NASA Engineering Design Challenge and be part of space exploration by growing seeds flown in space! http://www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge

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Upcoming UA Programs of Interest

http://my.calendars.net/tucson_astro_ed

* September 14 and 15—Project Astro run by NOAO (closed to any more participants)

* September 19—Astrobiology and the Arts: A Symposium Location: Stevie Eller Dance Theater, 1737 E. University Blvd Time 1:00 pm Contact Cathi for more info mailto:cathi@as.arizona.edu

* September 20—Astrobiology and the Arts: A Concert Location: Stevie Eller Dance Theater, 1737 E. University Blvd Time 7:30 pm Contact Cathi for more info mailto:cathi@as.arizona.edu

* September 21—Astrobiology Journal Club Topic: Prebiotic Chemistry By Dr. Leif Abrell, Chemistry Dept Time: 1:00 pm Steward Observatory N505A Contact Cathi for more info mailto:cathi@as.arizona.edu

* September 28—Astrobiology Lunch Series Roy Parker, Molecular and Cellular Biology Time: 12:00 Lunch, 12:30 Talk in Steward Observatory N505 Contact Cathi for more info mailto:cathi@as.arizona.edu

* October 4—50 year celebration of Sputnik at Pima Air and Space Museum - 6:30 - 9:30 pm - Contact Maria for more information mailto:mariams@lpl.arizona.edu

* October 17th—8:30am - 1pm —Pima Community College Earth Day - Flandrau is looking for volunteers for the event, contact Mike if you know someone who would like to help out mailto:terenzon@email.arizona.edu. Also, if your organization would like to participate, contact the event coordinator Denise Meeks -

* October 20th - Family Weekend - Open House sponsored by LPL, activities on the mall - Contact Maria for more information mailto:mariams@lpl.arizona.edu (possible collaboration with Flandrau)

* October 26 - Xprize, contact mailto:jvnelson@email.arizona.edu for more info

November 3 - Homecoming and Junior Scientist Day - events for kids hosted at the Science Library (I will send out details as we get them, as well as the application to participate - this is a very well attended event

* March 12, 13, 14, 2008 - FUNFEST - more details in the coming months

* May 25th, 2008 - Phoenix Landing event being run by Flaudrau supported by LPL and U of A.

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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/

SACNAS e-nouncements (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science): http://www.sacnas.org/enouncements.cfm

Teacher Magazine: http://www.teachermagazine.org

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This information was sent to approximately 3200 science and mathematics educators.

The SAMEC e-newsletter is provided by The University of Arizona, Science and Mathematics Education Center, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu

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