professional development opportunities

Professional Development Opportunities:
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GRADES 6-16 EDUCATORS SOUGHT TO HELP SHAPE DIGITAL LIBRARY PROJECT ON CLIMATE LITERACY AND ENERGY AWARENESS
Through funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Climate Literacy & Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) Pathway project is assembling, reviewing and annotating a substantial collection of online resources that will be aligned with science education benchmarks and standards.

An important part of this project is to identify the needs and "best practices" of educators related to climate science and energy topics. To do this, Inverness Research is assembling a consultant network of 100-200 teachers and college/university instructors of grades 6-16 to inform the project and gauge its reach and utility over time. Participants in this consultant network will be representative of teachers and instructors nationwide (by geographic location, subjects taught, experience level, etc.) who have an interest in teaching about climate science and energy awareness.

The study will last approximately three years. It will take one to two hours per year for an individual to participate in the consultant network: primarily in the form of completing a survey and/or participating in a short telephone interview.

Teachers and faculty who are selected to be in the consultant network will receive a total of $225 for their participation. All data collected from the network will be aggregated and the information will be used in such a way that the identity of the participants will be protected.

Applicants who meet the study criteria will be selected and sent a follow-up invitation to participate in the study as well as more information about the program.

To apply, complete the application form: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GWZYGQ3

Register Now for Fall Online Courses from the American Museum of Natural History
Seminars on Science connects classroom teachers with scientists engaged in current, real-world research. Each course is authored by leading scientists in their fields and is then co-taught by an experienced researcher affiliated with AMNH. Courses include Earth: Inside and Out; Space, Time & Motion; The Ocean System; Genetics, Genomics, Genethics; Evolution; and more.

All courses run for six weeks and are fully online. Each participant receives a CD of course resources suitable for classroom use. Affordable graduate credit is available for all courses (see website for details).

Please see the website for the full course listing. Free sample resources for each course—including essays, videos and interactive simulations—are available online. Fall Sessions run September 6 through October 12 AND October 25 through December 5. Registration closes August 27. Register early for a $50 discount! For more information and to register, go to learn.amnh.org or call 800-649-6715.

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My name is Avy Gonzalez and I am writing to you from Tutor.com. I found your contact information on the State Teacher Associations Website. I am looking for the person responsible for disseminating information out to members regarding job opportunities in the field of education. If that is not you, would you be so kind to direct to whom that may be?

Tutor.com is currently gearing up for the Fall 2010/Spring 2011 academic year and has several positions open for Math and Science tutors, specifically in subject areas such as Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra and more. Tutoring with our service actually takes place online so tutors can tutor from the comfort of their home or dorm. Our service is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week which means we provide tutors with very flexible scheduling. These are paid positions. Our service is on demand so it helps tutors to keep their basic skills sharp, prepare for working with students in an on demand environment and work with cutting edge technology. Tutors also have an opportunity to make a difference and help students all over the country who might not normally be able to afford a tutor on their own.

Tutor.com is an online tutoring service. We were created in 1998, are based in NY but work with over 1,800 libraries and schools throughout the country as well as military families. We have over 2,000 tutors who are also located all over the country in various disciplines and fields.

Again, we do have openings right now for the subjects we listed above. Anyone interested can visit www.tutor.com/apply for more information and access to the online application.

I would also be more than happy to answer any questions anyone might have.

Thank you for your attention to this email.

Kind Regards,
Avy Gonzalez

The site, http://www.educationdegree.com is the biggest directory on the web of teacher education degree programs (including alternative certification programs), from 1,700+ colleges and universities around the US. The listing of science teacher education programs is at http://www.educationdegree.com/programs/science-education/

We also offer a $2,500 teacher education scholarship.

Thanks,

Ann Marie Durlacher
EducationDegree.com

The Alaska Science Consortium will be offering an Advanced Institute in Anchorage this summer!

The topic for this institute is Astronomy and will include guest lecturers and field trips (including a trip to a planetarium and the newly renovated Anchorage Museum where the Imaginarium will be located). The class will be held August 2- 6 from 9am-3pm unless a field trip requires a time adjustment. We have reserved a comfortable meeting room at the BP Energy Center for our daily use. There is a class limit of 16.

The fee is $400 and $200 (non-refundable) of that fee will be due by July 1st. The remaining fees will be due on the first day of class.

Credit will be available through the University of Alaska Southeast and it will be $90 for two credits. Taking the class for credit is optional.

Send your registration forms to Cheryl Cooper at: cheryl@wildak.net
For more information about the Alaska Science Consortium visit the web site at akscience.org

NSTA Elementary Science Institute

NSTA is sponsoring an elementary science institute in New Orleans Aug 5-7, 2010. See attachment for more info.

Forensic Science

Interested in learning how to teach forensic science concepts in your elementary, middle school or high school class? Want to start a forensic science course? Are you teaching a forensic science class and want to hone your skills or knowledge base? Need graduate credits in science? If you answered any of these questions with a "Yes!" than this summer workshop is what you need.
Date: August 9-13, 2010
Location: Portage Northern HS (Portage, MI, near Kalamazoo)
Times: 8am-3pm
Cost: $300 (which includes handouts, some electronic files and new textbook)
Graduate Credit: 2 hours in Forensic Science from MSU (graduate fees to MSU must be paid)
For More Information Contact: Kathy Mirakovits at kjmirakovits@chartermi.net or kmirakovits@portageps.org or phone: 269-323-5403 or 269-720-6937

Knowledge is Power

Build your content knowledge through NSTA’s Learning Center this summer when you have more time for professional development. Teachers who need to brush up on science topics can access the most convenient, economical, and versatile resources right here: learningcenter.nsta.org.

Accessible whenever you are ready and from your laptop, teachers will find core resources that provide rich and robust PD activities and experiences to meet a variety of adult learning styles to build on basic levels of content knowledge.

10 hours of learning sessions provide real world science content and concepts.
Content presented in an instructional context.
Final assessment, if passed, demonstrates proficiency in subject.
Custom lesson plans, vignettes, student work samples offered through our SciGuides.
Journal articles, peer-reviewed and searchable, on relevant content are accessible from K–16.
E-book chapters accessible from 120 science teaching titles.
2-hour online learning experiences available on key concepts.
Web seminars led by PD experts provide content lectures and online discussion with participants.

For more information, visit the Learning Center or call 703.312.9201 for details.

Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship

Conservation International's Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship creates opportunities for leaders and scholars from indigenous and traditional peoples' communities and organizations to explore solutions to the impacts of climate change and the threats to ecosystems and biodiversity that are affecting their lands, communities and livelihoods. Year-long fellowship will be offered to four candidates, with two in Biodiversity, and two in Climate Change. The deadline for application is June 11, 2010.
http://www.conservation.org/discover/centers_programs/itpp/Pages/indigenous_fellowship.aspx

Toyota International Teacher Program

Application deadline May 26
The Toyota International Teacher Program offers fully-funded, international, professional development opportunities for U.S. educators. The program aims to advance environmental stewardship and global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities through creative, interdisciplinary, and solution-based teaching methods. The date of the Galapagos Islands program is November 20-December 4, 2010.

ONLINE SCIENCE COURSES FOR EDUCATORS-ACCEPTING SUMMER REGISTRATIONS

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers 8 and 5 week online courses for elementary, middle and high school teachers. Through science content inquiry, integration and application, educators will improve their science content knowledge, learn pedagogy that drives learning experiences, and develop curriculum that applies science content to real-world situations.

Summer Courses Include:

Lab Earth: Changing Systems, May 17 - July 9
Lab Earth: Earth's Geochemical Systems, June 7 - July 9
Lab Earth: Earth's Geophysical Systems, July 12 - August 12

For more information on the courses or the Master's of Applied Science specialization in Science for Educators, visit: http://onlinegrad.unl.edu/programs/masters/science, e-mail unlextended@unl.edu, or call 402-472-5515.

BSCS and Field Test Opportunity

High school science teachers can earn graduate credit and take part in a new online course designed for those teaching out of field of endorsement.

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in cooperation with the National Teachers Enhancement Network (NTEN) have produced an online course for Grade 9 and Grade 10 science teachers. NTEN is a program of Montana State University, a world-class public research university. The course is designed for high school science teachers who are or will be teaching out of field of endorsement. The course is an intensive 16 week online course. All participating teachers will be required to complete at least seven content units in 16 weeks, including:

Unit 1: Teaching Science as Inquiry; and the units that comprise at least two of the following content areas:
Units 2-4: Physical Sciences
Units 5-7: Life Sciences
Units 8-10: Earth/Space Sciences

We plan to field test the course and are currently seeking teachers to take the course for three graduate credits. Specifically, we are looking for teachers to complete content units for which they are not certified. We will ask all selected teachers to provide a $200 registration fee to enroll. The registration fee will be returned when all coursework requirements have been met. If a teacher is selected to participate but does not complete the course and all requirements, the registration fee will not be refunded. We will offer the course for the third consecutive semester in summer 2010.

To participate in the field test, you must meet the following requirements:

•You have or will have received a high school science teaching license by spring or summer 2010.
•You are under contract to teach a high school science course that is not in your certification area. This includes:
•Teachers certified in one of the major science areas (physical, life, or Earth/space) but who are teaching a high school multi-disciplinary science course that incorporates all three major areas.
•Teachers certified to teach high school in one of the major science areas (physical, life, or Earth/space), and are teaching a high school science course not in their certification area (e.g. a teacher licensed to teach biology, who is contracted to teach chemistry or physics).
•Pre-service teachers who will have received a high school science teaching license by spring or summer 2010, who have been hired by a district to teach a high school science course not in their certification area (e.g., a student who will be certified to teach high school in spring/summer 2010, licensed to teach biology, but who has signed a contract to teach Grade 9 physical science in the 2009-2010 school year).
•You can provide a $200 registration fee for the course. The registration fee will be returned when all coursework requirements have been met. If a teacher does not complete the course and all requirements, the registration fee will not be refunded.
You have 9-12 hours per week to devote to the online course.

If you are interested in participating in the course, please go to https://www.rmccorp.com/atsto complete an application. Applications will be accepted as long as space is available. You will be notified by The National Teachers' Enhancement Network if you are selected to be a participant.

BRING LOCAL EARTH SCIENCE INTO YOUR CLASSROOM!

The Museum of the Earth welcomes your application to participate in a professional development program that is focused on Virtual Fieldwork Experiences and the Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Western Region. Spend time in the field with scientists and fellow educators to learn ways of incorporating local Earth system science into your classroom!

The workshop will be held at Southern Oregon University and Crater Lake National Park in Ashland, OR on July 14-16, 2010.

The Western Region, which includes CA, NV, OR, WA, AK, and HI
For more information and to apply visit: http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html

Christine Besemer
Teacher Programs Coordinator
Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
P: 607.273.6623 x27
F: 607.273.6620

Siemens STEM Academy

The Siemens STEM Academy is a premier online community designed to foster achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through collaboration and sharing of best practices. Educators can share their favorite lesson plans, tips, tricks, ideas, presentations, websites, videos, and other STEM-related resources that may prove useful for those looking to expand their classroom materials. Educators looking for ideas can browse the Teacher Resources by subject or grade level. The Academy also hosts a series of webinars on STEM-related topics. For more information, visit www.siemensstemacademy.com.

Apply Now for a Fully Funded Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands

The application for the 2010 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands is now available online. Fully funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by the Institute of International Education, this professional development opportunity for educators aims to advance environmental stewardship and global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities. The program will take place November 20 – December 4, 2010 and the deadline to apply is May 26, 2010. Full-time classroom teachers and librarians of all subjects for grades 6 – 12 are eligible to apply. If you are interested in applying, please visit: http://www.toyota4education.com for eligibility requirements, application instructions, and FAQs.

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.

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

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

"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