professional development opportunities

Professional Development Opportunities:
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National Marine Educators Association conference stipends

Stipends to attend the 2010 National Marine Educators Association conference in Gatlinberg, Tennessee. The deadline is SOON – March 12!
Any current NMEA member can nominate themselves or someone else for the stipend. If you are not an NMEA member and don’t know one, contact Marilyn Sigman msigman@alaska.edu. Successful nominees will receive free registration and some travel support (the exact amount of travel support will be determined by the committee prior to awardees accepting the award).The stipends are available through the “Expanding Audiences” program whose goal is to increase the number of NMEA members who represent and/or educate underrepresented minorities including, but not limited to: people of color, indigenous people, island people, international communities, inland areas, and English-language learners. The intent is to support qualified individuals to share their expertise, experiences and perspectives through active participation in NMEA Annual Conferences and the creation of a product that will benefit the larger marine and aquatic education community. You can find more information on the program and a nomination form online at http://www.marine-ed.org/scholarships-stipends.html or under "Scholarships" on the 2010 Conference site, http://www.nmeaweb.org/gatlinburg2010/

NASA’s Electronic Professional Development Network is for you!

Are you a K-12 teacher of STEM disciplines? Are you looking for a way to enhance your instructional skills, meet your professional development goals, or find new and exciting resources to use in your learning environments?

NASA’s Learning Environments and Research Network and the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up to create the ePDN, a new initiative dedicated to preparing teachers to engage their students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through the use of NASA-developed learning materials and resources.

Applications are now open for two courses:

What is Project-Based Inquiry Learning? --Designed for science teachers in grades 5-12 who are new to inquiry and project-based learning. In this course, participants will develop skill in using project-based inquiry learning, or PBIL, to enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, scientific reasoning and problem solving. The application period for this course closes on April 1, 2010.

How to Represent & Interpret One Variable Data -- Designed for high school math teachers. In this course, participants will deepen their understanding of exploratory data analysis and lay the foundations for sampling and inference . The application period for this course closes on March 15, 2010.

To apply for these courses, visit http://nasaepdn.gatech.edu/nasa_epdn_application_process.php

Field Seminars in Denali National Park!

The Murie Science and Learning Center invites lifelong learners, educators, and families to participate in exciting summer seminars in Denali National Park and Preserve. Seminars are taught by experts in each subject area and are two to four days in length.

Field Seminars

June 4 – 6:   Birds of Denali with Nan Eagleson
June 12 – 13: Geology of Nenana Canyon with Phil Brease
June 14 - 16: High Country Wildflowers for Beginners with Verna Pratt
June 21 - 23:   Knowledge informs Art: Drawing inspiration from Denali with Karin Franzen
June 25 – 27: Denali’s Large Mammals with Nj Gates
July 2 - 4: Wildlife Tracking and Signs with Tim Buechle
July 9 – 11: Drawing Denali’s Wildlife with Todd Sherman
July 17 - 18: The Science of Fly-Fishing with Shann Jones
July 26 – 28: Wolves of Denali with Tom Meier
July 30 - Aug 1: Denali Field Journaling with Tom Walker
August 2 – 4:   Bears of Denali with Pat Owen
August 5 – 8: Landscape Painting with David Mollett
August 13 - 15: Predators and Prey with Ken Whitten
August 27 - 29: The Turning Tundra: How Plants and Animals Prepare for Winter with Nan Eagleson

Seminars for Families

July 12 - 14: Denali Wildlife (for families with children ages 8 and younger) with Martha Tomeo
July 23 - 25: Denali Wilderness (for families with children ages 8 and older) with Martha Tomeo

Teacher Trainings

June 7 - 9: iMovie: Movie Making and Podcasting in Denali with Chris Romine
Jun 28 – Jul 1: Science Writing in the Heart of Denali with Sondra Porter
July 19 - 21: Geology of Denali with Phil Brease and Kristen Friesen

Courses include:

•Small group size of 10 participants.
• Staying at a field camp http://www.murieslc.org/static/1258/field-camp-accommodations located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River.
• All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction.
• 10% discount available to members of Alaska Geographic.
• Professional development credit is available through University of Alaska Anchorage.

For more information or to register:
•go to www.murieslc.org or click on the links above
• email courses@murieslc.org
• call 1-888-688-1269.

Courses offered by Alaska Geographic in cooperation with the National Park Service through the Murie Science and Learning Center.

Bring the Solar System to Your Community—Become a MESSENGER Fellow

Take part in the current golden era of Solar System exploration by becoming a MESSENGER Educator Fellow! As an integral part of NASA's MESSENGER mission to Mercury, the Fellows will help bring the excitement of this daring mission to classrooms across the nation. Visit http://www.MESSENGER.jhuapl.edu for more information on the mission, and http://www.messenger-education.org for more information on the education and public outreach efforts of the mission. Applications are due April 10.

Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers

email: nsrcpdcenter@si.edu
Each of the three Smithsonian Science Education Academies is a week-long immersive science experience, including content sessions to deepen your understanding of key concepts, and behind-the-scenes access to Smithsonian collections and cutting-edge science at world-class research facilities. Three optional graduate-level credits are available for each Academy.
Get early bird pricing if you register by May 14, 2010: Save $100 www.nsrconline.org

ONLINE CLIMATE COURSES FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS—ACCEPTING SUMMER REGISTRATIONS

(Courses run June 18-August 8, 2010)
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers a series of six- and seven-week courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geoscience content, information about current climate research, easy-to-implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. The courses run concurrently from June 18 through Aug. 8, 2010. There is a $225 fee per course. Courses include: CD 501: Introduction to Earth’s Climate; CD 502: Earth System Science: A Climate Change Perspective; and CD 503: Understanding Climate Change Today. For more specific course information, a course schedule and registration information, visit: http:/ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu or contact Kirsten Meymaris at kirstenm@ucar.edu

Astrobiology Summer Institute for High School Teachers

Applications are due Feb. 12, 2010.
The Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers, or ASSET, is being held July 18-24, 2010, at San Francisco State University. ASSET will feature presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA and the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists will share the latest in astrobiology research on the origin of life on Earth, the extreme conditions in which life exists, Mars exploration, the formation of planetary systems around sun-like stars, and the search for life in the universe.

The 6-day workshop features a combination of cutting-edge science, inquiry-based teaching and learning, and leadership skills development to support teachers and teacher trainers. Participants receive the entire Voyages Through Time curriculum and complementary astrobiology materials, developed by NASA‚s Astrobiology Institute, for use in their classrooms.

2010 AtlasWorkshops

Looking for a new perspective on science content standards? Sign up for one of Project 2061's popular “Using Atlas of Science Literacy” workshops. You’ll learn how you and your school or district can use Atlas strand maps to improve K–12 science curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Workshops are taking place across the U.S. and in Canada. For details on registration, early-bird discounts, and scholarships, visit the Project 2061 website.

From Seed to Seed

From Seed to Seed is a professional development course presented by the National Gardening Association for K–8 teachers who already incorporate botany and gardening (indoors or out) into their science curriculum and for teachers who would like to start doing so. In addition to the core botanical information, activities and experiments that address K-8 national standards in various disciplines are provided. The course content is divided into two parts: From Seed to Seed and Exploring Plant Topics. The first part follows the life cycle of a plant from seed to seed and lays the foundation for more complex and fascinating topics in plant biology in the second part. Cost is $60. To learn more, go to www.kidsgardening.org.

Our Solar System Educators Program (SSEP)

The application period passed with no applications from teachers in Alaska,Maine and the District of Columbia, target areas for this year. SSEPs are master teachers who host workshops for educators in their states to acquaint them with NASA's educational products.

Since Alaska, Maine and DC are target areas, late applications (download here) will be accepted. Ignore the deadline dates printed in the packet.

Please email me at ssep@jpl.nasa.gov if you plan to apply. I would like to know when applications are forthcoming. Questions about the program may be directed to me.

Kay Ferrari, Coordinator
Solar System Educators Program
Phone: 818-354-7581

UW Physics Department Offers Free Institute for Teachers

The Center for Physics Education in the University of Washington Physics Department offers a five-week, 10-credit summer institute in physics and physical science for full-time inservice teachers.
The 2010 institute is tentatively scheduled for June 28-July 30 at UW in Seattle. Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Directed by Professor Lillian C. McDermott and supported by the National Science Foundation, the institute is tuition-free. and a $1,500 stipend is offered on successful completion of the course work. Additional money is available if needed to help defray the cost of lodging for persons from outside the Seattle area.
The physics by inquiry curriculum used in the course has been especially designed to strengthen the subject matter background of teachers in topics typically covered in precollege physics and physical science using a hands-on, inquiry-oriented method of instruction.
The materials emphasize the development of fundamental concepts and reasoning skills through laboratory experience. The class is divided into two sections: one for elementary-middle school teachers with little or no background in physics; the other for high school teachers of physics, physical science, and mathematics.
The application deadline is February 26.

2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest for Grades 9-12

Entries Due: April 5, 2010
$3,500 in Prizes Available
Scientists and decision-makers are using a greater variety of tools and data than ever before to investigate and respond to our changing planet. With an increasing amount of these tools and data becoming publicly available, students have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in scientific research that explores Earth's evolving environment.

The 2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest, an activity of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, awards cash prizes to secondary school students (grades 9-12) whose projects demonstrate the best use of satellites and other geospatial technologies or data to study Earth.

Three cash awards will be given: 1st place -- $2,000; 2nd place -- $1,000; and 3rd place -- $500. Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams. In the case of team entries, the cash award will be split equally among the winning team members.

In addition to prizes for the winning students, the teachers of the first-, second- and third-place students or teams will receive a $200 amazon.com gift card. If participation is part of an after-school club or other activity independent of school, the student or team can identify an adult "coach" who would be eligible for this award (e.g., a parent, club leader, etc.).

Entries must be postmarked April 5, 2010. IGES plans to announce the winning entries by May 12, 2010. Entries will be judged by IGES staff.

Eligible geospatial tools and data include satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, geographic information systems (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS). The main focus of the project must be on the application of the geospatial tool(s) or data to study a problem related to Earth's environment.

Geospatial technologies and data have numerous uses in science research, ranging from climate prediction to archaeology. They can be used to improve our understanding of the Earth system, including interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. They can also be used to improve the quality of our lives by supporting weather prediction, natural hazards monitoring, agriculture, land-use planning, coastal management, transportation, public health, emergency response and other fields.

The Thacher Environmental Research Contest (fomerly the Thacher Scholars Award) was founded in honor of former IGES board member Peter Thacher, who died in 1999. Peter Thacher was former deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, NASA advisor and, at the time of his death, president of the Earth Council Foundation/U.S. He was a leader in promoting the use of satellite remote sensing .

For more information on the 2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest, please visit http://www.strategies.org/ThacherContest

Moody's Mega Math Challenge

High school juniors and seniors from Maine to Florida are invited to participate in the fifth annual Moody's Mega Math Challenge for a chance to win part of $100,000 in scholarship prizes. The competition, which is entirely Internet based and free of entrance and participation fees, challenges teams of students to solve an open-ended, realistic, applied math-modeling problem focused on real-world issues in just 14 hours. The problem is unknown to teams until Challenge weekend (March 6-7, 2010) when they are able to download it and work on their solution. Registration is now open!

Participation in the Challenge is a great way to find out what it's like to work on a business team and it looks great on college applications. And, of course, there's always the scholarship money: the top team in Moody's Mega Math Challenge will walk away with $20,000 in prizes.

Since 2006, more than 4,000 high school juniors and seniors have participated in the Challenge and winners have received $275,000 in scholarship prizes for submitting and presenting the top solutions to complex, real-world problems. Each year's problem is kept a secret until teams download it at 7:00 a.m. on their selected work day during Challenge weekend. They have until 9:00 p.m. that same night to research the problem, formulate assumptions, develop and test a model, analyze their findings, and summarize their response in a solution paper, which they upload to the Challenge website.

The goal of Moody's Mega Math Challenge is to increase interest and encourage high school students to pursue studies and careers in applied mathematics, economics, and finance. The Challenge spotlights applied mathematics as a powerful problem-solving tool, as a viable and exciting profession, and as a vital contributor to advances in an increasingly technical society. It is funded by The Moody's Foundation and organized by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).

Complete information on Moody's Mega Math Challenge 2010 can be found at http://m3challenge.siam.org. Register your team through the "participate" link.

About the Sponsor
The Moody's Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting a variety of nonprofit education, health and human services, civic, and arts and culture programs. Established by Moody's Corporation in 2001, the Foundation's primary area of giving is secondary and higher education with a focus on mathematics, economics and finance. Further information is available at: http://philanthropy.moodys.com

Gr 6-12: an International Polar Year opportunity for the summer of 2010

IPY Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Polar Connections is designed to promote the teaching of science concepts and processes related to the polar regions, and to emphasize connections to State and National Science Standards for the middle and high school.

The one-week summer institute and academic-year online discussion forums has funding from NSF and U Mass, and will feature a variety of proven techniques for effective teaching, including inquiry-based teaching, cooperative learning, and methods for formative assessment of student learning.

Features of the program include:
- 12-16 July 2010 at UMass Amherst plus academic year online discussions;
- Housing (air conditioned single dorm rooms, 10 minutes away), meals, and travel costs for
teachers outside the commuting area;
- $75/day stipends ($375 total);
- Funds to attend conferences for dissemination;
- 3 graduate credits available at reduced cost and free professional development points
- Ongoing partnerships with UMass faculty.

Applications are due 1 April 2010. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis.

More information is available through ipy@umassk12.net, or by calling 413-545-0734

Eyes in the Sky II Seeks Grade 9 to 12 Science Teachers

Eyes in the Sky II is a long-term professional development program that prepares high school science teachers to use NASA data and visualizations along with other geospatial information technologies. Throughout the program, teachers and students investigate both global and local environmental issues. The program includes four parts: 1) a 12-week online Web course, consisting of three 4-week modules; 2) a 7-day face-to-face summer workshop held onsite at a NASA research center; 3) one year of classroom implementation, ending with a virtual student showcase; and 4) an ambassador program for providing professional development for other teachers in participants' schools or districts.

Grade 9 to 12 science teachers will benefit from this program. Through participating, teachers will: 1) become proficient using NASA data and geospatial analysis tools;2)receive a $1000 stipend for completing the online course and the 7-day summer workshop; 3) receive an additional $1000 stipend as compensation for delivering professional development as an Eyes in the Sky II Ambassador;4)equip their students with geospatial technology skills that are in increasing demand in the workplace; and 5) obtain optional graduate credit through Northern Arizona University.

For more information about the Eyes in the Sky II program, including the online application visit http://serc.carleton.edu/eyesinthesky2/index.html. Applications are due by January 15,2010.We expect this will be a popular program. As there are a limited number of openings available, first consideration will be given to early applicants. If you have further questions, please contact Carla McAuliffe (Carla_McAuliffe@terc.edu) or Erin Bardar (Erin_Bardar@terc.edu).

Society for Science & the Public (SSP) Fellows Program

With generous support from Intel, is pleased to announce the 2nd year of its Fellows Program. The SSP Fellows Program provides funds and training to selected U.S. science and math teachers who serve under-resourced students, to enable interested and motivated students to perform high-quality independent scientific research.

Through a competitive selection process, the Program will provide teachers the financial and training resources necessary to support and inspire the success of their most enthusiastic science students. Fellows may serve for up to four years. The goal is to enable Fellows to guide students to produce project-based research of the highest quality, such as is selected for SSP's premiere science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search.
ELIGIBILITY:
*   Demonstrated interest in research but actual research experience not required.
*   Active engagement in 9-12 grade science or if not actively teaching at this time, must demonstrate access to students to mentor.
*   Teaching credential.
*   Must be from a school that has enrollment that is at least 40% underrepresented minority and/or with at least 30% of students qualified for free or reduced rate lunches.
*   Demonstrated evidence of engagement with students (e.g. participation in field trips, science clubs, science fair, mentorship activities; support of independent research).
*   Excellent written and oral communication skills.
*   Must be able to attend Fellows Institute in Washington DC - July 26 through July 30, 2010. SSP pays for the whole trip!

STIPEND:
Fellows receive a stipend of up to $8500/year depending on proposed budget, demonstrated need, support of the school and needs of the student population.
Deadline for application to the 2010 Fellows Program will be January 15, 2010 at 5:00pm EST.

For information about the Fellows Program please visit: http://outreach.societyforscience.org/
For questions please contact

Jennifer A. Carter
Director of Outreach
Society for Science & the Public
1719 N Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-2801
202.872.5140 (phone), 202.822.3922 (fax)
jcarter@societyforscience.org
http://www.societyforscience.org/
http://outreach.societyforscience,org/
http://www.sciencenews.org/

2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
Boulder, Colo.; July 31-August 4, 2010

"Cosmos in the Classroom 2010: A Hands-on Symposium on Teaching Introductory Astronomy" & "Making Connections In Education and Public Outreach" – Save the date and plan to put funding in your 2010 budget for a double hands-on meeting for everyone involved in astronomy and space science education. More information about specific meeting programs and formats and ways to propose sessions and papers will be available in late 2009. Both dormitory and hotel housing have been arranged, so that the meeting is accessible for a variety of budgets.

ONLINE CLIMATE COURSES FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS—ACCEPTING WINTER REGISTRATIONS
Early Registration Deadline: January 1, 2010 (Courses run Jan. 22—March 14, 2010)

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers a series of six and seven week courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geoscience content, information about current climate research, easy to implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. The courses run concurrently from Jan. 22 through March 14, 2010. There is a $225 fee per course (save $25 if you register by Jan. 1st.) Courses include: CD 501 Introduction to Earth’s Climate, CD 502: Earth System Science: A Climate Change Perspective, and CD 503:Understanding Climate Change Today. For more specific course information, a course schedule and registration information, visit: http:/ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu or contact Kirsten Meymaris at kirstenm@ucar.edu

2009-2010 NASA EDUCATION RESOURCE SHOWCASE SERIES
NASA's Digital Learning Network presents a series of videoconferences to assist educators in staying current on NASA education resources and related products. During each event, product producers, authors and experts will demonstrate their materials designed to increase awareness and understanding of NASA science content. Instructional objectives, accessing the materials and primary contacts for the materials will also be discussed. During the videoconferences, participants will be able to submit questions to the presenter that will be addressed during the presentation.

In the coming months, the following topics will be covered:

-- Exploring Space Through Math: Dec. 16, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EST
-- STS-131 Robotics: Jan. 27, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
-- NASA Fit Explorers Feb. 24, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
-- NASA eProfessional Development Network -- Robotics Course: March 31, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
-- MoonWorld: April 28, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
-- On the Moon: May 26, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT

For more information about these videoconferences and to sign up online, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast/. Questions about these events should be directed to Caryn Long at caryn.long@nasa.gov

NASA/NSTA WEB SEMINAR: “A CENTURY OF COSMIC SURPRISES”

The next NASA/NSTA Web Seminar will be "A Century of Cosmic Surprises" on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. EST. Dr. James Lochner (USRA and NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center) will provide a historical overview of cosmic significance. This workshop will trace some of the questions scientists have asked about the universe and describe the tools they used to answer those questions. It will show how in many cases these led to surprising, unforeseen answers, which have shaped our current understanding of the nature of the universe.

This Web Seminar is free and open to all teachers, but registration is required. Click here to register
This Web Seminar is part of the NASA/NSTA fall 2009 series "How Telescopes Have Changed Our View of the Universe.”

Montana State Spring Online Courses Include "Across the Sciences" and HHMI-sponsored Microbiology

An online pilot course called "Across the Sciences" helps high school teachers who are teaching outside of their endorsement areas. The 16-week course was developed by Oregon Public Broadcasting and Biological Science Curriculum Study and is offered this spring through Montana State University's National Teachers Enhancement Network. Teachers earn three graduate credits and gain a better understanding of science content for which they are not certified. Units include Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Earth/Space Sciences. Teachers chosen to participate pay a $200 registration fee, which is returned upon completion and evaluation of the course.
In spring, MSU also offers Microbial Ecology (MB 542). The 3-credit graduate course is just $150, thanks to sponsorship from the Hughes Undergraduate Biology Program with funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The course covers the ecology of microorganisms in relation to nutrition, growth, control, metabolism, biogeochemical cycling, natural environments and microbial interactions. Visit eu.montana.edu/NTEN for these and other elementary and secondary online courses for Spring 2010.

Alaska Biogeography: Plants and Their Symbionts

For the second year, UAF, UAS and EPSCoR are joining forces to offer Middle and High School science teachers the opportunity to study "Alaska Biogeography: Plants & their Symbionts" with a two-week residency at UAF included in the course. Participants in this course will earn four professional development credits from the University of Alaska Southeast. This outstanding experience provides funding for the participant-teachers for travel, room and board through the EPSCoR grant. The cost for the UAS credit ($100) is the responsibility of the teachers.

In addition, there will be opportunities this summer for any of your secondary science and social studies teacher to attend our PRAXIS II Training Camps (UAS Summer Science Institute and UAS Summer Social Studies Institute) on the UAS campus. Both of these institutes will be held in Juneau in June, 2010. Watch for more info coming on these one week long institutes for your teachers who need to become "Highly Qualified" as per NCLB requirements!

Space is limited and interested teachers should contact Alina Cushing at ascushing@alaska.edu or 907-474-5805; or Christa Mulder at cpmulder@alaska.edu or 907-465-7152.

NASA GIFT Workshop for Secondary Educators

Since 1991, the American Geophysical Union has offered GIFT (Geophysical Information for Teachers) Workshops. These professional development opportunities allow science teachers to learn about the latest research in Earth and space science from prominent scientists engaged in making the most recent discoveries and to actively engage in classroom activities that tie to this cutting-edge research.

The 2009 GIFT Workshop will take place on Dec. 17-18, 2009, at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. This workshop is intended for middle and high school science educators and will focus on "Earth's Surface: Where Biology and Geology Interact." The workshop will feature several prominent NASA scientists discussing their current research and explorations. Topics will include a broad view of water, water on Mars, water on the moon, and mapping impervious cover on Earth that impacts the water cycle. The entire first day will consist of NASA presentations.

Participants will learn how to use hands-on, inquiry-based activities that demonstrate data concepts as examples for teaching the science standards. Attendees will leave with curricular materials and resources for their classroom.
The workshop is free for teachers, but space is limited to 65 participants. It will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Complimentary breakfast and lunch are included both days.

Participating teachers will also be provided with a coupon redeemable in the exhibit hall for a Galileoscope and a bag of NASA Earth and space science educational materials. Also included is a complimentary meeting registration to attend the technical presentations and exhibit hall during AGU.

This workshop is co-sponsored by AGU, NASA and Critical Zone Observatory.
For more information about the workshop and to register online, visit http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm09/outreach/index.php. (Registration will remain open until available slots are filled.)

Solar System Educators

Solar System Educators are master teacher volunteers who to train with NASA and host professional development workshops for other teachers in their states. In addition to receiving specialized training on NASA’s educational products, SSEPs join Solar System Ambassadors and the Museum Alliance for mission update trainings. We look for teachers who have a minimum of five years classroom experience as well as experience hosting workshops. SSEPs do not necessarily have to be in the classroom when they apply; they just need past classroom experience. Some of our current SSEPs are now working in informal settings.

SSEPs are asked to annually conduct three educator workshops, or reach 100 teachers, in their states with information about NASA’s educational products. There are limited funds available to aid with travel costs (usually mileage) for SSEPs who may have to travel within their states to accomplish their goals. SSEPs also may conduct and report public events.

SSEPs are given one in-person institute when they enter the program. Stipends are available to aid with travel costs. The remainder of trainings will be handled on-line in the same manner as SSA.

Visit http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ssep/index.cfm for more details.

If you would like an application, please contact Martin Gutoski -- mardeb@gci.net
______________________________
Wendy Cloyd
Coordinator
Science Education Outreach Network
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 757320
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320
(907) 474-7999 phone
wendy.cloyd@gi.alaska.edu
or scienceoutreach@uaf.edu

http://www.uaf.edu/outreach/clearinghouse/index.html

Apply Now For The 2010–2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program

As an Einstein Fellow you will spend a school year in Washington, DC sharing your expertise with policy makers. You may serve your Fellowship with Congress or one of several government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The Einstein Fellowship program provides an opportunity for teachers to inform national policy and improve communication between the K–12 STEM education community and national leaders. Selection is based on excellence in K–12 mathematics, science, or technology teaching; demonstrated leadership; an understanding of national, state, and local education policy; and communication and interpersonal skills.

The Fellowship program was created in 1990 with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Congress formalized the program in 1994 by passing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act. The Triangle Coalition administers the program under the direction of the Department of Energy. The application deadline is January 13, 2010.

NSTA New Science Teacher Academy

Gr 6-12: Apply to be a member of the 2009-2010

Bayer Corporation's Bayer USA Foundation has awarded the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) a $200,000 grant to create the Bayer-NSTA Fellows program and to expand the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy.

This means that this spring, Bayer and NSTA will issue a call for entries to the 2009-2010 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. Science teachers located throughout the country who will be entering their second or third year of teaching and whose schedule is a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science, can apply to the become an NSTA Fellow. For more information about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, to learn how to apply to become a fellow and 2009-2010 deadline information please visit the URL above. And watch this space for the call for entries

2010 NSTA National Conference in Philadephia

K-12: Got a great lesson or assessment or instructional strategy?

The deadline for proposals to present at the 2010 NSTA National Conference in Philadephia is April 15. Get your proposal organized and submit it online so you can share your work with others, attend sessions and workshops, visit the exhibit hall, and hear great special speakers in this outstanding professional development opportunity.

"Alaska Biogeography: Plants and Their Symbionts"

This summer course, for teachers of secondary science, teaches the basic ecological concepts of phenology, invasive plants and nitrogen fixation using plant-symbiont relationships and mychorrhizae as a unifying theme. It includes the development of teaching modules that educators use in their own classrooms. Instructional delivery combines both distance and on-site at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The course will begin on June 15th with ten hours of scientific theory via distance instruction over a two-week period. This will be followed by a two-week residency at UAF, from June 29th-July 10th, to become skilled in lab and field methodology.

Travel costs to and from the UAF campus will be provided to all participants. In addition, students will be housed at UAF, with per diem funds included. Participants will also be given follow up support throughout the 2009-2010 school year in the form of classroom visits to assist in the implementation and conduction of experiments and data retrieval.

Two modules will be delivered during the course. Each participant will focus on the module most relevant to their particular geographic region, although there will be theoretical and practical overlap for all participants. Upon completion of the course, participants will have the skills and materials necessary to teach secondary students about plant symbioses (particularly mycorrhizae), phenology, nitrogen fixation and data collection techniques. Data collected by students in rural areas will contribute to both statewide and national databases. This will allow rural students the opportunity to participate in state and national research projects, while providing scientists with data at a spatial scale that would not otherwise be possible.

Teachers participating in this summer course will earn four professional development credits through the University of Alaska Southeast, Professional Education Center. The registration fee (nonrefundable) for this course, "Alaska Biogeography: Plants and Their Symbionts" is $100 for all four credits. There is no tuition charge for this course.

**For additional information on the course specifics or to register, contact Dr. Christa Mulder at ffcpm2@uaf.edu, or at (907) 474-7152.
All responses or requests should be directed to Dr. Mulder or to Alina Cushing at alinacushing@moose-mail.com

Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers

The National Science Resources Center is proud to announce the fifth year of its Smithsonian Science Education for Teachers (SSEAT) program. This summer two new events have been added to the program, one for teachers of earth science and one for teachers for physical science. Join other teachers, and earn graduate credits at these exciting Smithsonian-based experiences.

National Science Resources Center
901 D Street, SW
Washington, District of Columbia 20024
202-633-2973

Science Education Strategic Planning Institutes
July 12–17, 2009, Washington, DC
NSRC National K–8 Science Education
Leadership Development and Strategic Planning Institute

DOE/ACTS

I am a Science Education Specialist with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. This is information about a new professional development opportunity designed for secondary Applied Materials Science and Technology (MST) science teachers and offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), partnering with Edmonds Community College and MatEd.

This program, known as DOE/ACTS, begins in the summer of 2009 (June 22 - August 4) and continues for three consecutive summers (2009-2011). Academic year activities will be linked to national conferences in science, technology and materials science education. Stipend, travel and housing allowances are provided. Details are provided on the attached flyer (PDF) and at our website http://science-ed.pnl.gov/teachers/ under “Appointments”.

If there are any questions about this program, I may be contacted at the phone numbers and email below and on the flyer.

Sincerely,

Ann Wright-Mockler
Science Education Specialist
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
902 Battelle Boulevard
P.O. Box 999, MSIN K1-01
Richland, WA 99352 USA
Tel: 509-375-6795/392-9564
Fax: 509-375-4514
ann.wrightmockler@pnl.gov
www.pnl.gov

Upcoming Conferences • K-12: Science Education Conference is Coming to New Orleans
http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2009new/registration.aspx?lid=exp

Join more than 10,000 science educators in New Orleans for the most prominent and comprehensive NSTA National Conference on Science Education, March 19–22, 2009. This event kicks off with two exceptional speakers from The Planetary Society. Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, author, and PBS host; and Bill Nye the Science Guy is a comedian, television host, science educator, and mechanical engineer. And that is just the beginning of a full array of experts in professional development leading workshops, seminars, institutes, and sessions to stimulate your imagination, build your skills, enhance your teaching strategies, and nurture your passion.

Check out some of the program and workshop titles:
* Observe, Question, and Explore Our Solar System
* Exemplary Science Programs-Best Practices
* What We Know About Learning Science in Informal Environments
* A Sustainable Collaboration to Improve Content, Assessment, Reflection, and Efficacy of Science Teachers
* The Murder of Kirsten Knight-Jensen: Using Chemistry to Solve the Crime
* Teaching Core Physics Concepts Through the Lens of Seismology
* A Demo a Week Makes Science Class the Peak

Don’t forget daylong programs, the Exhibit Hall with giveaways, graduate credit for 12 hours of program attendance, and networking with your peers. It’s all there in New Orleans, with field trips that tap into this city’s history and local charm.

NSTA has made special effort this year to make the conference accessible to the greatest number of K–college science educators.

1. Save up to $20 on your registration fee (off full-price registration). The discounted Advanced Registration date was extended from February 6 to February 20, 2009.

2. Save up to $40 a night (savings from originally published prices). NSTA staff has requested that the conference hotels reduce their rates for conference attendees. To date, the following hotels have graciously responded.
• Intercontinental—rate reduced to $159 from $190.
•Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel—rate reduced to $155 from $189.
• Marriott Convention Center—rate reduced to $219 from $259.

Costa Rican Field Trip
The NSTA International Committee would like to present to you and your membership this opportunity to join us for an Introduction to Global Inquiry and Investigation: A Costa Rican Field Study, July 19 - 28th, 2009. This 10 day professional development workshop offers NSTA members and others an exceptional opportunity to explore key themes of science, education, government and culture through hands-on practice and experiential design.

Participants will:
• Gain experience in applied field research and observation in the tropics
• Build knowledge through comparative ecosystem analysis
• Analyze educational practices within urban and rural education systems
• Network with individuals and organizations focusing on conservation and sustainable development
• Challenge perspectives through cultural exchange

Working with top officials in education, research and government, participants will meet:

· President Dr. Rodrigo Carazo (Former President)
· Director of the Organization for Tropical Studies (Duke University)
· Dr. Brady Barr (National Geographic –Dangerous Encounters)
· Dr. Sherman Thomas Jackson (Professor and Costa Rican Textbook Author)
· Erick Vargas – Costa Rica National Biodiversity Institute

The National Science Teachers Association affirms the importance of international collaboration and encourages professional development opportunities for science educators to experience local culture first-hand and related sciences found in other parts of the world. Join us as we celebrate global literacy in science education!

For registration and information please visit www.holbrooktravel.com/nsta MEDUC Graduate Credits and National Science Teaching Correlations are available upon request. Grant eligibility may be available for participation.

Alaska Summer Research Academy - New and exciting opportunities for middle and high school student in 2009!

The new ASRA website is up and running. We are very excited about the upcoming summer, and think this ninth year could be the best ever for ASRA.

ASRA is offering 17 modules this summer, which is a record number. Six are brand new modules. Students in five modules will travel off campus to beautiful places in Alaska - Denali National Park, Round Island in Bristol Bay, Kasitsna Bay near Homer, Coal Creek Historic District in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, and various rivers in the interior of Alaska.

We have several new partners and new donors who will contribute significantly to the depth of experiences that will be offered. New York Life has offered nine full scholarships for rural Alaskan students. The National Park service is sponsoring the Archaeology module in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Springboard and the Department of Fish and Game are teaming up to bring you the Marine Mammals & Seabirds module. The UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Science is sponsoring the Fisheries module.

The dates for this summer are July 20-31. Applications will open online on March 1st.

Based on the demand so far this year, we expect to fill earlier than ever. If you want to join us this summer, apply early!!

Jeff Drake, Director
Alaska Summer Research Academy (ASRA)
College of Natural Science and Mathematics
907-474-7077
http://www.uaf.edu/asra

Counselors/Chaperones Needed for NASA INSPIRE Program

The NASA INSPIRE Program is seeking chaperones for the summer of 2009. This position requires a professional educator to coordinate NASA INSPIRE activities at the assigned NASA center during non-work day hours. The INSPIRE Chaperone will be the designated point of contact for INSPIRE participants regarding safety and health-related issues. Chaperones are also responsible for transporting participants to and from work each day. Each Chaperone will be the advisor to participants during their eight-week experience away from home on a NASA center. During NASA field center work hours, INSPIRE Chaperones are off-duty from their work assignments and have the opportunity to earn graduate credit, if desired. One position is available at each of the ten NASA field centers. Event dates vary by NASA field center, as reflected in the following schedule:

June 1-July 24, 2009: Stennis Space Center
June 8-July 31, 2009: Dryden Flight Research Center, Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center
June 15-Aug. 7, 2009: Glenn Research Center, Johnson Space Center and Langley Research Center
June 22-Aug. 13, 2009: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
June 22-Aug. 14, 2009: Ames Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center.

The INSPIRE Chaperones’ travel expenses to and from their assigned NASA field center, lodging, meals, salary, and Oklahoma State University graduate credit (if desired) are paid by OSU. Training will be provided prior to the work assignment, with travel to OSU required. Applicants must have a minimum of a four-year degree in science, mathematics and/or technology education. A master’s is preferred. Applicants must also have a valid teaching certificate. They must have a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in grades 6-12, or a combination of classroom and NASA education experience. Participants must also be U.S. citizens. INSPIRE counselors receive compensation for travel to and from the NASA field center, lodging, and meals during the eight-week event. Counselors may receive Oklahoma State University graduate credit, if desired. They are paid a salary of $5,800 for the event.

The Web site for applications will be open until Feb. 27, 2009. For more information, visit https://opportunities.nasa.okstate.edu/index.cfm?liftoff=applications.PositionDetails&JobPostingID=21
Questions regarding this opportunity may be submitted by e-mail to Richard Adams at: richard.adams@okstate.edu

See the attached information about the Alaska Math Consortium offerings this coming summer.

CSI Forensic Science Camp -- See attached document for more information.

K-12 TEACHERS: APPLY TO BE A NASA ENDEAVOR FELLOW
Applications for the September 2009 cohort are due March 6, 2009 (open to in-service, alternative-route and pre-service teachers. As part of NASA’s commitment to the effective preparation of K-12 science teachers, formal educators are invited to apply to become a NASA Endeavor Fellow. Each Fellow will be fully funded to complete a unique Online Certificate in Applied Science Education with Teachers College, Columbia University. The goal of the project is to ensure that teachers across the country can use NASA science discoveries to inspire the next generation of explorers, engineers and astronauts. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/Endeavor_Science_Teaching_Certificate_Project.html

NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE CAMP®

The Governor of West Virginia has announced that the State of West Virginia will again host the National Youth Science Camp in the summer of 2009. Two Alaskan high school seniors will receive a full scholarship to exchange ideas with scientists and other professionals from the academic and corporate worlds. The nearly month-long experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation; overnight expeditions into the National Forest; and a visit to Washington D.C. The selected delegates must not only demonstrate academic achievement in science, but also show potential for thoughtful scientific leadership.

The NYSC experience is offered at no cost to its participants, so that selected delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. Contributions to the National Youth Science Foundation® allow delegates to participate in this “once in a lifetime” experience. Educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge.

Delegates arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, on Wednesday, July 1, and depart on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The NYSC is held near Bartow in the eastern mountains of West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest. Application forms are available on the NYSC website at www.nysc.org/2009 and must be submitted directly to Alaska’s selection coordinator at the following address. Applications must be received by Friday, January 23, 2009.

CONTACT:
Woody Woodgate at (907) 465-2826 or woody.woodgate@alaska.gov

Climate Discovery Online Courses for Educators

Are you seeking a K-12 professional development opportunity that will enhance your qualifications, competency, and self-confidence in integrating Earth system science, climate, and global change into your science classroom? The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers a series of six and seven week online courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geoscience content, information about current climate research, easy to implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. The courses run concurrently from January 23 through March 15, 2009.

• CD 501 Introduction to Earth's Climate is designed to guide participants through the basics of climate science, integrating content, classroom activities, and community-building discussions to help middle and high school educators understand the answers to common questions about climate.

• CD 502 Earth System Science: A Climate Change Perspective explores Earth as a system from the perspective of climate and global change, describing the interactions between the various parts of the Earth system, including human activities, and how they all affect our climate.

• CD 503 Understanding Climate Change Today presents some of the current and predicted impacts of global warming on our planet and human societies. This course explores how climate models are developed and used to understand likely scenarios of future climate and how current scientific research is improving the quality of climate predictions.

There is a $225 fee per course.

For complete course schedule and registration information, visit http://ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu
For questions or comments, please contact Kirsten Meymaris - kirstenm@ucar.edu

Build A Plane - Youth Art Competition

Build A Plane is holding a Youth Art Competition for the design of a paint scheme for the Build A Plane Glassair Sportsman. High school kids, working with professional assistance at the Glasair factory, built a Sportsman 2+2 in just two weeks! This new Build A Plane aircraft will tour the country in 2009. Entry rules are on the front to the entry form attached. Deadline for entries is 1/31/2009. You may also visit the Build A Plane website to link to the schemeDesigners web site to see some possibilities. http://www.buildaplane.org/youth_art_program.htm

Neuroscience For Kids 2009 Drawing Contest - download PDF

SEE ATTACHED ENTRY FORM ABOVE
Entries must be received by February 1, 2009, and cannot be returned.

Dr. Eric H. Chudler
Department of Bioengineering; UWEB E/O
Box 355061
1705 NE Pacific St.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5061
chudler@u.washington.edu

16th Annual Great Moonbuggy Race

High school and college students design and build a vehicle that addresses a series of engineering problems similar to those faced by the original lunar-roving vehicle team. Each school may enter up to two teams. The race will take place April 3-4, 2009, in Huntsville, Ala., at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2009.

For more information about the competition and to register online, visit http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov/index.html

Engaging Alaska Native Students in the Geosciences Institute

Dr. Emma Walton - instructional team leader.
May 27-30, ASD Teacher Academy, Anchorage

Secondary teachers will have the opportunity to involve themselves in an institute that will provide exciting strategies for bringing their students into the world of geosciences. Teachers will explore global climate change and its relevance to our lives in Alaska. They will investigate topics in atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences. Nationally- recognized scientists and exemplary educators will lead these explorations.
The instructors will incorporate multi-media resources from public television’s WGBH Education Foundation, which have been specifically designed for use in Alaska classrooms. WGBH provides free resources for educators on their website, Teachers Domain. This institute will feature many of the new Alaska resources that were developed to encourage Alaskan student’s interest in the geosciences and to address traditional knowledge systems found in our state.

Instructors will encourage participants to become more knowledgeable about the world around them, and will offer strategies for bringing that knowledge back into the classroom. Indigenous worldviews and traditional knowledge systems will be featured throughout the institute.

We are especially interested in reaching teachers in districts and/or classrooms with large Alaska Native student populations. This institute is limited to 40 participants.

20 stipends (covering airfare, housing and per diem) are available for middle and high school teachers from rural districts who would like to attend.

Credit: Two credits will be offered free of charge to all participants who attend the institute and complete follow up work.

Go to http://www.asdn.org and click on “Summer Institutes” Application. The application deadline is February 15.

K-12: National Engineers Week is coming - February 15-21, 2009

If you want to start planning now, here are a few sites to get you started: http://www.childrensengineering.com
The site, with a subtitle: “Developing Technological Literacy at the Elementary Level” has been created by a group of elementary school teachers from Virginia who “believe in high standards and rigorous academic instructional programs, … that the study and use of technology provides a creative and active way to apply state and national learning standards.” The site has links for PD, Teacher Resources, and Ready to Use Activities for elementary students.

K-12 TEACHERS: APPLY TO BE A NASA ENDEAVOR FELLOW

Applications for the September 2009 cohort are due March 6, 2009 (open to in-service, alternative-route and pre-service teachers).
As part of NASA’s commitment to the effective preparation of K-12 science teachers, formal educators are invited to apply to become a NASA Endeavor Fellow. Each Fellow will be fully funded to complete a unique Online Certificate in Applied Science Education with Teachers College, Columbia University. The goal of the project is to ensure that teachers across the country can use NASA science discoveries to inspire the next generation of explorers, engineers and astronauts. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/Endeavor_Science_Teaching_Certificate_Project.html

InvenTeam High School Invention Grants

Application deadline, March 20, 2009 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program to foster inventiveness among high school students. Teams composed of high school students, teachers, and mentors are asked to collaboratively identify a problem that they want to solve, research the problem, and then develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. The deadline for early feedback is with an initial application deadline of April 24, 2009 - http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/

Inspiring Today's Students and Improving Tomorrow's Water

The Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association (AWWMA) will be hosting the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Anchorage, June 25-29, 2009. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is world's most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project. The prize taps into the unlimited potential of today's high school students as they seek to address current and future water challenges.

Any high school student (grades 9-12) with a water project can “self-nominate” their project for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition by entering directly online at http:www.sjwp.org The entry deadline is April 15, 2009.
Also, any student who enters a water-related project in any local or regional science fair are eligible. Projects may focus on local, regional, national, or global issues. It is essential that all projects use a research-oriented approach, which means they must use scientifically accepted methodologies for experimentation, monitoring, and reporting, including statistical analysis. Each year, more than 65,000 students from across the United States enter projects in local science fairs. Of those participants, all high school students with water-related projects are eligible to enter the state Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.

Students enter by submitting their research papers online. Judges select one winning project from each state. State winners and their science teachers receive a FREE trip to the U.S. national competition, which takes place in a different city every year (Anchorage, AK 2009!). For more than a decade, the U.S. competition has continued to grow, and it is now an exciting three-day event. Students from nearly all-50 states come together each summer to display their research, take part in fun, educational activities, and just talk water.

The International Competition
The national winner and his or her science teacher represent the United States at the international competition. Held each August in Stockholm, Sweden, it is truly a royal affair. The competition takes place during World Water Week and is full of impressive events, culminating in an awards presentation by the Princess of Sweden. With participants from about 30 countries, the weeklong event is as much a cultural experience as it is an educational one. It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to connect with other young researchers from around the world who, just like them, are meeting water challenges head on.

Nicole A. Duclos
University of Alaska SE Sitka Campus
Toll free in Alaska: (888) 750-3823
Web: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/attac

PERMAFROST/ACTIVE LAYER MONITORING NETWORK

With support from NASA and the International Polar Year, the University of Alaska Fairbanks launched the Alaska Permafrost Project. The project has developed the Permafrost/Active Layer Monitoring Network, a network of over 100 schools in Alaska and Yukon, Canada that measure permafrost temperature and active layer depth on a weekly basis (active layer is seasonally freeze thaw layer above permafrost). The network places all of their data plots and latest information on their Web site as well as Google Earth (accessible through their Web site.) To learn more about permafrost and access the program data and other education materials, visit http://www.uaf.edu/permafrost

A CELESTIAL SNOWGLOBE OF STARS – NEW HUBBLE IMAGE

Like a whirl of shiny flakes sparkling in a snow globe, Hubble catches an instantaneous glimpse of many hundreds of thousands of stars moving about in the globular cluster M13, one of the brightest and best-known globular clusters in the northern sky. This glittering metropolis of stars is easily found in the winter sky in the constellation Hercules and can even be glimpsed with the unaided eye under dark skies.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/hst_img_20081204.html

K-12: Ocean Service Education

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/
Provides online tutorials on corals, currents, estuaries, geodesy (global positioning), pollution, and tides; case studies on an oil spill and an invasive species (Lionfish); two mysteries for young students (grades 3-5) to solve; lesson plans on climate change, coral reefs, currents, ecosystems, estuaries, global positioning, habitat management, marine sanctuaries, navigation, ocean exploration, pollution, tides, and more.

Apply for Project Funds

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom they call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund. Go to http://donorschoose.org for more information.

NIH K-12 Curriculum Available- Focus on DiabetesSchools

NIH K-12 Curriculum Available- Focus on DiabetesSchools across the country now have free access to an innovative set of teaching tools designed to increase the understanding of science, health and diabetes among American Indian and Alaska Native students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. The comprehensive new curriculum, called "Health is Life in Balance," was launched Nov. 12 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

The curriculum integrates science and Native American traditions to educate students about science, diabetes and its risk factors, and the importance of nutrition and physical activity in maintaining health and balance in life. Applying an inquiry-based approach to learning, the curriculum builds research skills in observation, measurement, prediction, experimentation, and communication. Furthermore, the curriculum has healthy lifestyle messages and innovative science activities for all students, not just Native Americans. To view the curriculum, please visit:
http://www3.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/de

Museum of the North Highlights the Yupik People

A new exhibit at the University of Alaska Museum of the North highlights the innovation and ingenuity that have helped the Yupik people survive for generations on the Bering Sea coast. "Yuungnaqpiallerput (The Way We Genuinely Live): Masterworks of Yup'ik Science and Survival" opens Saturday, December 13, 2008, and runs through Sunday, March 22, 2009. Based on knowledge shared by Yup'ik elders, the exhibition takes visitors through the seasonal cycle of activities, and features more than 100 artifacts from national and international collections. Hands-on activities show visitors how grass serves as insulation, how to sew waterproof stitches, how a hunter uses a paddle to hear sound vibrations in the water, and how to build a qasqi, the Yupik communal men's house. Anthropologist Ann Fienup-Riordan, who guest-curated the exhibit, will present a free public lecture on Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at the museum. The companion book to the exhibit is available at the museum store ($45/softcover, 360 pages). The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center organized the exhibit in partnership with the Calista Elders Council. More information is available at www.yupikscience.org/ Information on the museum is available at 907-474-7505 and www.uaf.edu/museum

Recess at 20 Below and Science?

It doesn’t sound like a match, but really, there is a tremendous amount of science and math when learning about the cold.

Sometimes it can be difficult to connect science concepts students with everyday life. Yet, when incorporated with a fun, colorful, easy to read book such as Recess at 20 Below, concepts are better understood. Why are the winters dark? Why do ice crystals fall out of the air at extremely low temperatures? What is ice fog? Why do ravens attack red Kool-Aid on the snow? How many degrees colder is negative 20 than positive 40? Can you get too hot at 20 below zero? These are typical questions students ask after a Recess at 20 Below presentation. Student led questioning provides great opportunities for science lessons that put kids into the picture.

Recess at 20 Below is more than just reading and writing. It’s a story that blends all areas of the curriculum, including the sciences. The power of this book has been recognized nationally. It is used by the Heinemann Company in their kits for elementary schools; by the State of Ohio in their standardized tests; by the State of Kentucky in their recommended acquisitions list; and by others as well.

Author and photographer Cindy Lou Aillaud has given exciting and inspirational school presentations across Alaska and numerous states Outside. Aillaud is an USA Today teacher, a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, a Disney Honoree and an Alaska Physical Education teacher of the year. She knows how to interact with kids to bring out their best. After a day with Aillaud, school ends with smiles and hugs.

Aillaud can be contacted at smiles99737@yahoo.com for further information.

Alaska Forum on the Environment 2009

The Alaska Forum is pleased to announce that the Alaska Forum on the Environment, 2009, will be held February 2-6, 2009, using both the Anchorage Egan Convention Center and the new Dena'ina Center for the event! This year we will offer over 80 technical breakout sessions and 8 sensational Keynote Events. For 2009, we have expanded our content and our partnerships. We will continue to offer a full week of sessions on climate change, energy, environmental regulations, cleanup and remediation, fish & wildlife, solid waste, and of course much more.

Celebrating the 10th year of the federal Denali Commission's efforts to improve energy systems, public health, and other infrastructure support to Rural Alaska.

In recognition of the 20th year after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, we will be hosting sessions covering the status of species and resources injured by the Spill, and current spill prevention efforts and response capability.
We will be celebrating the 10th year of the federal Denali Commission's efforts to improve energy systems, public health, and other infrastructure support to Rural Alaska. For more information about the event including the developing agenda, please visit our website at
http://www.akforum.org/ ]http://www.akforum.org

Educator and Launch Conferences

There are two upcoming Educator Launch Conferences in early 2009. You can download registration application, maps, hotel info, at http://www.endeavours.org/sec/ - Educator Launch Conference on front screen. Past Educator Launch Conference programs are posted on the website (Calipso-Cloudsat, AIM and OSTM/Jason-2) and OCO and NOAA-NP will have a similar format.

There is an OCO and NOAA block rate for all K-16 teachers, at Quality Inn and Executive Suites Hotel, Lompoc ($75 + tax) to make a reservation at 805-735-8555. Fifty rooms available, first come, first serve.

You will participate in quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workshops, presentations by NASA and NOAA Scientists and Engineers at the dinner banquet and view the launch of the NASA and NOAA satellites into Space from Vandenberg AFB.

1). Orbiting Carbon Observatory (January 14-15, 2009). NASA JPL OCO Satellite will be launched from Vandenberg AFB on a Taurus Rocket (2:58 AM, 15 January 2009). For more information: http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/

2). NOAA-N Prime (3-4 February). NOAA-N Prime Satellite will be launched from Vandenberg AFB on a Delta II Rocket (2:22 AM, 4 February 2009) For more information: http://goespoes.gsfc.nasa.gov/poes/index.html

There is no guarantee the launch will go do to various factors.

DISCOVER THE UNIVERSE: NASA/NSTA WEB SEMINAR

Dec. 16, 2008 and Jan. 20, 2009
Join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars featuring NASA scientists and education specialists. The seminars will focus on key science concepts -- Earth’s place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and models and evidence in science -- as participants investigate how NASA’s space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. Presenters will share their science expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding educational Web sites.

Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminars will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 16, 2008, and 6:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 20, 2009.

To learn more about these seminars and to register online, visit http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminar.aspx.

CLIMATE DISCOVERY ONLINE COURSES FOR EDUCATORS – REGISTRATION OPEN

Pre-registration deadline: Jan. 1, 2009
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers a series of six and seven week online courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geoscience content, information about current climate research, easy to implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. There is a $225 fee per course (save $25 if you register by Jan. 1). The courses run concurrently from January 23 through March 15, 2009.

• CD 501 Introduction to Earth's Climate is designed to guide participants through the basics of climate science, integrating content, classroom activities, and community-building discussions to help middle and high school educators understand the answers to common questions about climate.
• CD 502 Earth System Science: A Climate Change Perspective explores Earth as a system from the perspective of climate and global change, describing the interactions between the various parts of the Earth system, including human activities, and how they all affect our climate.
• CD 503 Understanding Climate Change Today presents some of the current and predicted impacts of global warming on our planet and human societies. This course explores how climate models are developed and used to understand likely scenarios of future climate and how current scientific research is improving the quality of climate predictions.

For complete course schedule and registration information, visit
http://ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu