M.S. Degree Program in General Biology for Secondary School Teachers
Biology Update 1 An on-line course for secondary school science teachers
3rd Annual Robolympics in Tucson on Sat., Dec 15
New Graduate Student Fellowships Available
New Loan Forgiveness Program For Future Math, Science And Special Education Teachers
Arizona Professional Educators Classroom Mini-Grant Application
Tips for ExploraVision!
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation 2008 Teaching Fellowships
Educational E-Journal Links
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M.S. Degree Program in General Biology for Secondary School Teachers
The University of Arizona offers a summer-oriented graduate program (with a year-round option) designed specifically for middle and high school biology teachers. The program's graduate-level courses focus on updating and expanding your biology content knowledge and expanding your teaching techniques. Participants have the opportunity to meet and network with other outstanding teachers and develop lasting relationships with university staff and faculty. The program is flexible, allowing participants to take classes at times convenient for them, and several courses are available on-line. Modest scholarship support is available for in-service Arizona teachers. Applications for Summer 2008 are due March 1. For more information, visit <http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn> or call Ellie Warder at (520) 621-5903.
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Biology Update 1 An on-line course for secondary school science teachers
BIOC 623c, 3-units of graduate credit Starts: January 14, 2008 Instructors: Jim Ware, M.S. and Lisa Rezende, Ph.D. This course will focus on recent advances in the understanding of basic biology and on new applications in cellular and molecular aspects of biology. This online course will begin on Monday, January 7 taking place over 15 weeks. Online assignments will include weekly discussions, activities, and quizzes, as well as a variety of written assignments. 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 $600 scholarship towards the cost of the course ($1,064.50). You would be responsible for $464.50 plus a $25 application fee (if necessary). To register, contact Ellie Warder at warder@u.arizona.edu or (520) 621-5903 by January 9, 2008.
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3rd Annual Robolympics in Tucson on Sat., Dec 15
Have you ever thought about starting a Robotics Club at your school? Not sure what's involved? Here's your opportunity to learn all about it! On Saturday, Dec. 15, Sonoran Science Academy's robotics team will host the 3rd Annual Robolympics at the school's new location in Tucson. From 9-10:30 am, there will be general introductory workshop for students and teachers interested in starting their own robotics team. The Robolympics games will be held from 11 am to 1 pm in the school gym. You'll see 6-10 robots in action -- catching balls, running obstacle courses, etc. Pizza, drinks, and snacks will be sold on-site throughout the event. Sonoran Science Academy is located in northwest Tucson at 2325 W Sunset Rd (near the intersection of La Cholla & River Rd). For more information, please contact Bill Bennett at <bill@wizardofaz.net>
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New Graduate Student Fellowships Available
NSF Amazon-PIRE Fellowships for research on vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships ($30,000 per year, for up to two years) are available starting in Fall 2008 for a new program called Amazon-PIRE. We seek qualified earth-system science students who are interested in studying vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon basin (Brazil) in the context of an international program in graduate education and training. Amazon-PIRE fellows must be admitted to a Ph.D. program at University of Arizona or Harvard University. Fellowship support is available for United States citizens or permanent residents and includes a competitive annual stipend, full tuition, health insurance, and allowance for travel to Brazilian field sites and collaborating institutions. Amazon-PIRE is a U.S.-Brazilian partnership designed to address the fundamental question, "What is the future of Amazon forests under climate change?", by also promoting international education, collaboration, and exchange between the U.S. and Brazil. For more details, please see: http://www.eebweb.arizona.edu/pire_amazonia/ Amazon-PIRE is committed to diversity in education, and particularly encourages the application of women and underrepresented minorities. Candidates should apply to relevant academic programs and then separately to the Amazon-PIRE program for funding. For more details on relevant academic programs at the University of Arizona and at Harvard University, their application deadlines for Fall 2008 matriculation and contact information, please see: http://www.eebweb.arizona.edu/pire_amazonia/opportunities.php
First application deadline for Fall 2008 matriculation is Dec. 10, 2007!
(for the graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
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New Loan Forgiveness Program For Future Math, Science And Special Education Teachers
The Arizona Board of Regents announces the Arizona Loan Forgiveness Program for Math, Science and Special Education Teachers. This program allows selected students to take out loans which will be subsequently "forgiven" for those who meet specific teaching requirements. The Math, Science and Special Education (MSSE) program is designed to encourage talented students to enter the teaching profession and teach in Arizona. This program requires a commitment to teaching Math and/or Science in a middle school or high school, or Special Education in K-12 High school students who are prospective K-12 science or math teachers can apply for essentially a FREE ride for their entire time at one of Arizona's state universities. High school seniors must apply to a state university and be accepted before mid-March. They must submit their entire application in one package to ABOR, between March 17 and March 26, 2008.The application process needs to be started soon, as it is lengthy. Download an application packet at www.azregents.edu
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Arizona Professional Educators Classroom Mini-Grant Application
Available Awards: Awards are available up to a maximum of $500 Allowable Uses for Classroom Mini-Grant Funds: AZPE Classroom Mini-Grants can be used to pay for a wide variety of projects and materials, including supplies, materials, books, software, equipment, audio-visual, and technology. (Grants cannot fund salaries or stipends.) Feel free to indicate to the awards committee what you need for the classroom! Classroom projects and activities may occur anytime during this school year. Eligibility: These Classroom Mini-Grants are available to all educators. Awards are competitive. Both new and veteran AZPE members are given first preference; however, grants are not exclusively limited to AZPE members. How to Apply: Candidate should submit FOUR copies of the following (and the cover page) as well as any attachments included with application: * A brief professional resum© listing academic background, employment history, membership in professional associations, and any awards or honors received. * A short narrative answering the questions listed below. (This narrative section should be typed, paginated, and organized with each question clearly identified.) 1) How and when will these Classroom Mini-Grant funds be used? Please describe the class project you have in mind, its purpose, and provide an itemization of needed materials and their costs. If this project is already documented, please include copies of that project description, article, or lesson plan outline. 2) What needs will this proposal address? Describe your objectives and how this award will benefit the students in your classroom. 3) How will you evaluate the effectiveness of your project? 4) Is this project, activity, or classroom item something that you plan to share with other teachers in your school? If so, please describe how you plan to share this activity (or item purchased) in order to maximize the benefit for your school. Are you willing to share a brief report or "success story" about this activity for AZPE's newsletter and with your colleagues at a faculty meeting? 5) Please describe your best idea for raising the professionalism of teaching as a career and how it will help to enhance respect for the career of education; Or, discuss how having a choice of professional organizations benefits teachers, students, and public education as a free marketplace of ideas. 6) If you are an AZPE member (veteran or newly-joined), please describe briefly your primary reasons for joining AZPE. Application Deadline: The deadline (received by AZPE) for the fall review is October 31. Details on Mini-Grant Award Payment Options: Those teachers awarded Classroom Mini-Grants will be reimbursed for up to $500 in approved expenses documented within one year after receipt of the award. With sufficient advance notice, AZPE can also remit the award directly to the institution, store(s) or vendors involved. Or, if district policy requires, the Classroom Mini-Grant can be awarded directly to the school. Mini-Grant Award winners agree that their names and photos may be used in AZPE newsletters or websites and may be announced in local newspapers. Send Application To: AriZona Professional Educators, 1307 E. Southern Ave #204, Mesa, AZ 85204 Call 480.503.2737 or e-mail azpe@azpe.org if you have any questions.
Mini-Grant Application available online at: http://www.azpe.org/
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Tips for ExploraVision!
Have you started your ExploraVision project yet? Whether you're a teacher thinking about forming a team or a student considering an idea, we thought we could help by offering the following tips. Working on an ExploraVision project is a fun learning experience, and winning students get $10,000 savings bonds! Download the entry kit here. Tips for Students: Getting Started. Brainstorming is a helpful and fun way to think of ideas for a project. While brainstorming, come up with as many ideas as possible and don't limit your thinking. Click here for more on brainstorming. If your team has a mentor, think about your mentor's area of expertise. Choosing a topic that your mentor knows something about could help you. Click here for more on choosing a topic. Agree on a topic that everyone on your team is excited about! Tips for Teachers: Getting Started. In forming a team you may want to choose students who show the most interest. You could also use the competition as a class project and have all your students work in teams on an ExploraVision project. Click here for more on forming a team. Enlist the help of parents. Few elementary students can take on the responsibility of a contest alone. Find a mentor often a parent who can help provide both expertise and general assistance. We hope these tips are helpful as you consider your ExploraVision project. And, most of all, we hope you have fun!
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Knowles Science Teaching Foundation 2008 Teaching Fellowships
The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) is seeking applicants for Physical Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellows: individuals who have at least a bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering or mathematics and now want to teach science or mathematics in U.S high schools In addition, KSTF is recruiting for the new Biological Science Teaching Fellowships, which will begin in June 2008 KSTF seeks individuals with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary biology such as systems, computational or model-based biology KSTF is looking for those with a commitment to changing the content and instructional focus of high school biology. KSTF was established in 1999 to strengthen the quality of science and mathematics teaching in the United States KSTF Teaching Fellowships support individuals professionally and financially for up to five years through a teacher preparation program to eligibility for tenure.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in science, engineering or mathematics within the past five years and be committed to teaching secondary science or mathematics in U.S schools.
Award information: Fellowships will be awarded to up to 15 individuals in physical science and up to 15 in mathematics In 2008, the Biological Science Teaching Fellowships will be experimental Only a small number of fellows willing to shape the program and accept the risk and uncertainty of a new program will be accepted While individuals are enrolled in a recognized teacher certification program, fellowship support includes tuition assistance and a monthly stipend as well as room, board, travel expenses and fees for summer professional development activities Once fellows have begun teaching full-time, they are eligible to apply for instructional materials grants and school-site mentor support Additionally, the award includes room, board and travel expenses to three Fellows' Meetings per year and membership in a professional organization.
Application information: Application instructions are online at hwww.kstf.org. The deadline for applications is January 14, 2008. Only online applications will be considered. For more information, visit our website at: www.kstf.org or contact: Jennifer Mossgrove, Program Officer, Mathematics or Roseanne Rostock, Program Officer, Science. (856)608-0001. teachers@kstf.orgprevalent degree is biology. Our ABOR grant provides free tuition -- crucial because teachers can't afford to pay tuition. Information about our summer 2007 modeling workshops and the Modeling Instruction Program is at: <http://modeling.asu.edu/>
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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.orgNo Child Left Behind: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/
Latino Issues in Higher Education: http://www.innovativeducators.org/
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