SAMEC E-news:  11-17-06

Special Topics in Education: Teaching Evolutionary Science in the 21st Century
Science Teacher's Colloquium Series
Arizona Envirothon
Math 596f: Topics in Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
Evolution Speaker Series at The Arizona Science Center
Math Science Technology FUNFEST
Governor's P-20 Council FAQ Sheet
Math Workshop Opportunity for High School Students
Free Desert Museum Outreach Programs
The Tucson GEAR UP Project
Educational E-Journal Links
Special Topics in Education: Teaching Evolutionary Science in the 21st Century
ASTR 597B (910) or MCB 597B (910) Designed for Science, Social Studies, and English Teachers 2 graduate credit hours in life or physical science 530-830pm on 10 dates listed below 100% Tuition & Fees Covered This 2-credit hour graduate course for K-12 educators on teaching concepts of evolution and change over time along with the impact of modern science on society, art, and culture is structured as a seminar with discussion, lectures and activities for the K-12 classroom. The courses are built around a set of invited speakers at the UofA. Classes meet from 530-830pm and include an internationally recognized lecture as well as classroom-ready activities. All activities and discussion will focus on an integrated view of teaching science, social studies, and English in the context of searching for life beyond Earth. These courses are specially designed for in-service teachers at the 5th-12th grade levels, but educators at all levels are invited to participate. This spring 2007 semester, 100% of tuition and fees for up to 24 educators currently teaching grades 5-12 will be fully covered by a generous donation from our partnership with the UA LAPLACE Astrobiology Center. 

INITIAL DATES (subject to change)
These graduate credits help to fulfill the new “highly qualified teacher” requirements for NCLB-science and can also be used as electives in the UofA MS Biology Degree program. Participants can elect to enroll in either the ASTR course for physical science credits or the MCB course for life science credits, but not both. The graduate course is co-taught by Drs. Tim Slater and Alex Storrs from the UA Astronomy Department, Dr. Thomas Lindell from the Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, and will feature additional presenters. Parking can often be found at the Park Avenue Garage. For additional information, contact tslater@u.arizona.edu. To enroll, contact Continuing Education & Academic Outreach at 621-7724 before 1st class meeting.  http://scienceandreligion.arizona.edu/educatorforum.html
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://samec.lpl.arizona.edu/k12educators or email samec@lpl.arizona.edu
Arizona Envirothon
Arizona Envirothon is a statewide, annual competition for high school students that tests their knowledge of natural resources and their ability to apply that knowledge.  It is a member of Canon Envirothon, North America's largest natural resource competition. Teams of five students (from the same school or, mainly for home schooled children, from the same club) are coached by their advisors to achieve the learning objectives from each of the main topic areas, as outlined on our website.  At the state competition in the spring of each year, they compete against other teams.  The winning team goes on to compete in the North American competition, where winners receive scholarships of up to $5,000 per student. For additional information, contact Kathy Killian, Arizona Envirothon  PO Box 1248 Phoenix, AZ 85001 Tel: 602-771-8521 Fax: 602-771-8685 krkillian@azwater.gov   http://www.azenvirothon.org
Math 596f: Topics in Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
In the spring semester the department of mathematics will be offering Math 596f: Topics in Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School   Teachers. The topics for this semester will be discrete mathematics and elementary number theory. While we will be examining these subjects from   an advanced perspective appropriate for adult learners, we will do so with an eye towards unpacking the big mathematical ideas and how these big ideas can be incorporated into instruction at several grade levels. Moreover, our mathematical explorations will serve as a platform for   engaging in issues related to teaching, such as investigating students’ thinking and developing effective learning environments. Research on teaching and learning will be integrated throughout. The class will meet on Mondays from 5:15 – 7:45 in Matheast room 141. For additional information, please contact Peter Wiles at wiles@math.arizona.edu
Evolution Speaker Series at The Arizona Science Center
Join the Arizona Science Center and The University of Arizona College of Science for an exciting series of presentations about one of the most controversial topics of our time.  Scientists from many fields work together to discover the processes that create the current state of our universe, our world, and ourselves.  The theory of evolution accounts for the origin of all matter, including the development of life itself.  We are proud to present these seven lectures that will illustrate the various aspects of evolution. All lectures begin at 7 p.m. and are free to the public. For reservations or more information, please email edserve@azscience.org or call 602-716-2000 and choose option 8, then option 3.
Math Science Technology FUNFEST
Math Science Technology FUNFEST is for all grade 4-8 classes. MSTFF is scheduled for March 21-22-23, 2007 at the TCC. Registration begins December 1st at http://www.mathsciencefunfest.home.comcast.net  The FUNFEST goal is to provide a quality educational experience to the kids while supporting their growing interest and enthusiasm for math, science, engineering and technology. We have about 60 stations including every aspect of the sciences from dendrochronology and physics to space travel, medicine, and electronics. The FUNFEST is a hands-on math and science expo for Tucson's students grades 4-8. The scientists, engineers, mathematicians, doctors, and technologists come from across the Tucson community. The event is sponsored by Raytheon, US Expo, IBM, Honeywell and UA and good news... bus grants are available to most participants and the event is totally FREE.  Teachers, children and parents can all find excitement while learning and doing active science. Last year we reached daily capacity very early -- please register as soon as you can. For more information email mathsciencefunfest@comcast.net or call director Sharon ONeal at 794-5858.

Math, Science, Technology FUNFEST is calling all scientists, engineers, mathematicians, computer engineers, and medical doctors
Math, Science, Technology FUNFEST is calling all scientists, engineers, mathematicians, computer engineers, and medical doctors for March 21-22-23, 2007. We count on you to support 6000 students at our big event at the TCC. The FUNFEST goal is to provide a quality educational experiences to the kids while supporting their growing interest and enthusiasm for math, science, engineering and technology. Register at http://www.mathsciencefunfest.home.comcast.net or if you need more information before signing up, please call MSTFF Director and Raytheon
Senior Fellow Sharon ONeal at 794-5858.
Governor's P-20 Council FAQ Sheet
Q. What is the vision of the Governor's P-20 Council?
A. Every graduating student from the freshman class of 2012 will be prepared for work and post-secondary education in the 21st Century. 

Q. What is the Governor's P-20 Council?
A. The P-20 Council was established by Executive Order No. 2005-19 on July 8, 2005. "P-20" is an education policy term that refers to the full range of education from pre-school through post-graduate work (or the 20th grade). Symbolically it refers to the need to ensure that our education system is ready for a new high-skill reality. 

Q. Why the Governor's P-20 Council?
A. Conceptually P-20 refers to the need for 21st Century workers to be lifelong learners and prepared to receive additional training and education throughout their careers. The Governor's P-20 Council links together the education spectrum with business and economic advancement to resolve the many education and workforce development issues. 

Q. What are the major issues of the Governor's P-20 Council?
A. Education Alignment: Aligning the education and training necessary to keep the jobs we have and attract the job we want in the future is a major issue. A P-20 approach addresses the primary issue of moving more students seamlessly through the education system. Closing the misalignment gap necessitates making Arizona high school graduation requirements and the requirements for post-secondary education the same.  Why more math and science? The number of jobs requiring math and science is growing four times as fast as job growth itself. This means that as job skill needs are transformed education must also transform. Arizona is one of six states that does not require a minimum of three years of math and three years of science (Arizona only requires two.) http://www.governor.state.az.us/P20/  
Math Workshop Opportunity for High School Students
The University of Arizona Math Department would like to offer high school teachers a chance to bring your classes to the University. As part of the outreach efforts of the Department of Mathematics at  the University of Arizona we try to organize half- or full-day workshops for high school students. These workshops expose students to  interesting topics in mathematics not usually covered in standard high  school math classes, with the aim of presenting real-world applications and active areas of research in a way that is both accessible and fun. Past topics have included Cryptography, Biomathematics, Game Theory, Graph Theory, and many  others. A secondary purpose of the workshops is to give students an idea of what an undergraduate education in mathematics is like and to  encourage them to add math classes to their schedule when they enter  college. If you are interested in participating in either a weekday or weekend  workshop with your high school mathematics class, please contact me boguszak@math.arizona.edu with any questions you may have and dates that would be convenient for you. Our goal is to have at least one workshop before the winter break and then several next spring.
Free Desert Museum Outreach Programs
Funded by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, supported by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, is offering a range of free programs for grades K-12 to eligible Pima County Schools. Students can learn about anything from arthropods to zeolites in over 11different programs, which emphasize adaptations and interconnections in our desert ecosystem.  Live animal      demonstrations are included in every class, and help students engage with ecological concepts. Eligibility:  Pima County Schools Grades K-12 Economically Disadvantaged  Enrollment  50% Guidelines: Teachers must be willing to complete and return a brief evaluation form after the program.  Maximum per day: 3 Desert Discovery Classes (same class repeated 3 times) for a maximum of 40 students each, OR 2 auditorium programs (maximum 300 students each). Available Mondays and Wednesdays through February 28. Program Descriptions and Applications available at: http://desertmuseum.org/center/edu/elementary.php 
The Tucson GEAR UP Project
The Tucson GEAR UP Project is a college access program designed to increase the number of underrepresented students who are ready to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.  Family engagement is a major component of the Project.  This year the GEAR UP Project is inviting the middle school families with whom we work to attend Family Math & Science Workshops at GEAR UP schools. The workshop theme is bridge building; building bridges within families, building bridges among families, building bridges from middle school to high school and from high school to college.  Each family builds both a two dimensional and a three dimensional bridge as we discuss related math and science concepts. For more information please contact Elizabeth Arnot-Hopffer, Assistant Director, Tucson GEAR UP Project; eja@email.arizona.edu
Educational E-Journal Links
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
The SAMEC e-newsletter is provided to you by
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Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, http://samec.lpl.arizona.edu

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