Professional Development for Teachers

Great Professional Development Link

Teacher Training for AP* Science Using Hands-on Activities

AP* Biology and AP* Environmental Science Summer Workshops - Come Join Us!


If you are looking for a way to:

* firm up your understanding of concepts you are expected to teach
* integrate the unifying themes of AP Biology or APES and weave content areas together
* identify and correct students' misconceptions
* incorporate hands-on methods for teaching difficult topics
* utilize models, games, puzzles or activity-based teaching techniques
* add new lab and field exercises
* introduce your students to meaningful experiences that are both memorable and revealing

...then come join us for a week of experiential learning! We will be doing all of these things as well as collaborating to create new activities, sharing useful web resources and discovering affordable ways to borrow/acquire/create equipment, models and other teaching tools for your AP Biology and AP Environmental Science classroom.

Summer Workshop Dates: Price (includes one unit of lesson plans from the AP*ES or
AP* Biology Daily Lesson Plans curricula)
Genetics June 21-June 25 $490
Cell Biology June 28-July 2 $490
Ecology July 5-July 9 $490

Click on this link and scroll down to the subtitle "5-Day Summer Workshops 2010" for more information on travel and accommodations, or to download an application:

There are still spaces available in each 5-Day Summer Workshop. Please send me an email if you would like me to hold your place for any particular week.

Sincerely,

Kristen Dotti
Catalyst Learning Curricula

828-687-0807

Kristen.Dotti@CatalystLearning ( mailto:Kristen.Dotti@CatalystLearningCurricula.com )Curricula.com

National Lab Day Set for May 12, 2010

Summer Science Workshops for Educators
Five week-long NASA-related science workshops are offered to K-12 educators.
Applications are currently being accepted.
July 12 - August 6, 2010
Penn State University Park campus
See .
State Superintendent's Regional Curriculum Conferences: 2010 A PASS Odyssey
Date: Tuesday, June 15
Location: Central Middle School, Lawton
Date: Tuesday, June 15
Location: McAlester High School, McAlester
Date: Wednesday, June 16
Location: Del City High School, Del City
Date: Wednesday, June 16
Location: Fulton Learning Center, Tulsa
Date:Thursday, June 17
Location: Grove High School, Grove
Date: Thursday, June 17
Location: Woodward High School, WoodwardAll content and all grade levels will have presentations available in addition to a keynote speaker. Online registration is available at.
April 22nd marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and gives teachers an opportunity to encourage environmental stewardship. Events and resources are available from a number of organizations, and NABT makes your search for classroom ideas easy. NABT supports both the teaching of environmental ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1808 )and sustainability ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1809 )topics in the biology classroom. Official statements can be found at NABT Position Statements ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1810 ). The NABT Ecology/Environment Resource Page ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1811 )at http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=107 ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1812 )has what you need to address the important themes of Earth Day with your students.
OKSDE Technology Workshop Opportunities
The calendar for instructional technology trainings has been created and is now located for viewing and registering in one simple location. The URL below lists all training opportunities beginning in May and ending in August. Early enrollment is highly encouraged for these trainings because they do fill quickly. Please note if registering multiple participants for a training, separate computers will need to be utilized for each registration.
See .

Toshiba America Foundation Grants
Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is currently accepting applications for grants to support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers – grades K-6 and grades 7-12 to make their own classrooms more exciting and successful for students.
Deadline:August 01, 2010
Separate applications for K-6 and 7-12 can be found at: .

May 12 will be the first official National Lab Day! Not signed up yet? Not to worry: even if May 12 doesn’t work for you, National Lab Day is more than just a day. Whether you are looking for help with your science fair, or maybe someone to host a field trip, advise an after-school program, help with a hands-on activity, or supply some cool lab equipment, National Lab Day can help.
At the NLD website ( http://www.nationallabday.org/ )you simply sign up then submit your idea for a project (or what you need in your classroom) and the website matches your request with a STEM professional who has also joined the NLD hub. (And you can also get funding for your classroom or project by registering on Donors Choose on the NLD site!)
Learn more and to sign up your project for National Lab Day at www.nationallabday.org ( http://www.nationallabday.org/ )today.

Exploring Diversity: The Search for New Medicines Resources

What medical secrets do venomous snails hold? (Just FYI – my son has been struggling with severe pain and the doctors tried this snail toxin by injecting it into his spine. Unfortunately, it didn’t help him, but it does show promise for many people. - Jana)
How can listening in on bacterial conversations help develop new antibiotics? This new, free two-DVD set from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute includes detailed chapter search by scientific topic; direct access to animations; special features on symbiotic bioluminescence, seashell taxonomy, and Philippine maritime culture; and a discussion on biodiversity and conservation To order this and other free Holiday Lectures on Science DVDs from HHMI ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1816 ), just go to and click the Order link. HHMI also offers many resources such as the Virtual Transgenic Fly Lab.
Visit .
Resource for use in teaching about STEM careers
A recent ASQ/Harris Interactive ( http://www.asq.org/ ) survey askedstudents what they thought of their science teachers. The students gave U.S. teachers high marks for science smarts, but their grade drops significantly when it comes to connecting learning to STEM career options. The survey shows 63 percent of youth say their teachers are not doing a good job of talking to them about engineering careers, and 42 percent feel their teachers aren't good at showing them how science can be used in a career. The survey was aimed at uncovering how well teachers translate their knowledge and passion for science to getting kids excited about engineering and science careers.
Triangle Coalition member, the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, provides a wide range of resources educators and others can use to help students explore over 185 STEM and healthcare careers. Browse interviews with hundreds of professionals who offer candid insight into their own diverse careers.
Most resources are also as PDFs, PowerPoints, and podcasts.
Available at .

BioWorksU

A virtual environment where you can learn about careers in biotechnology and health care. A project of IPIC, the Indianapolis Private Industry Council Inc. and funded by US Department of Labor. This is a great site for Biotech, Bio II, Anatomy/Physiology classes. This is an interactive site - be sure to have students check out the Hospital - Pathology Lab links. Students can diagnose patients based on lab results.
See <>.

Genome Science Summer Institute at the Genetic Science Learning Center:
Centered around the free, award-winning, classroom-ready curricula available on the Learn.Genetics and Teach.Genetics websites, this institute will translate directly back to your classroom and fortify your genetics unit or course.
July 12- 16, 2010
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Travel and Lodging: For participants living more than 50 miles from the University of Utah. Stipend: $250 and Breakfast and lunch provided. Deadline is: May 2, 2010
Information available at .
Genetic Science Learning Center has some great resources for teaching genetics at ( http://www.learn.genetics/ )> and ( http://www.teach.genetics/ )>.

Engineering Resources

Engineer Your Life (EYL) has FREE resources you can use to spark girls' interest in engineering. EYL is a national campaign that breaks down stereotypes about engineering and encourages college-bound girls to consider it as a career option. The multimedia website EngineerYourLife.org features ten great reasons to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, educators, and engineers on how to talk to girls about engineering. Share this web site with your school counselors. Order FREE brochures/postcards by sending an email to feedback@engineeryourlife.org

Potato Chip Challenge

The Potato Chip Challenge is a free nationwide challenge to engineer the smallest, lightest package that will protect a potato chip being sent through the mail so that it arrives at its destination undamaged.

Here's how it works:
Pre-tech whatever fits your class best, Newton's laws, distribution of force, materials and package engineering, measurement, environmental impacts of packaging, etc...
Register your classes at www.potatochipchallenge.org before May 1st.
The week of May 1st, all registered chips will receive a match, and your students will mail their packages via the US Postal Service. Each chip sender will receive a chip from somewhere across the country. Students measure and judge their received chips, and enter the data. By early June, standings and winners for each grade will be announced. There may even be prizes (we're working on that) The last cohort of matches for 2010 will be made the week of May 1st, 2010. Please register your chips before then. The challenge is targeted for Middle School, and is open to K-12. Each grade will have delcared winners. For more information, visit www.potatochipchallenge.org.

New Student Orientation and Enrollment day

Pre-Engineering Instructors: Please spread the word to your students!

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at OSU will hold a special New Student Orientation and Enrollment day for PLTW students on June 14-15. OSU has space for 35-40 students on this day. Students who would like to participate need to send Kevin Moore the following information: kevin.moore@okstate.edu. Space is limited so send your information!

* Name

* Campus Wide ID (CWID) number

* Number of guests

This is very exciting for our Oklahoma students! Let me know if you have questions and I can be the liaison between our sites and OSU.

Dr. Adams Lecture

The third lecture in our forensic science series is coming to Science Museum Oklahoma on Thursday, April 22nd. Dr. Dwight Adams, former director of the FBI laboratory in Quantico Virginia, recipient of the highest honor a government employee can receive, and current director of the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute, will be offering a free lecture entitled How Do I Become a Forensic Scientist? The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a meet-and-greet with complimentary food and drinks, followed by the lecture, beginning promptly at 7:00.

Admission is free, however seating is limited. Please RSVP for the event by contacting Hettie Davis at (405) 602-3671 or via email at communications@sciencemuseumok.org

K-12 Teachers, Educators, Administrators:

Register now for ASEE's workshop, "Discovering Engineering in the
Classroom," and learn fun ways to get students excited about math and
science. This energizing, highly informative event will introduce you to
innovative, effective engineering education lessons, best practices, and
take-away tools. Kentucky teachers who participate will be eligible for
continuing professional education credits. Out-of-state teachers will
get a certificate to use in seeking credits through their own state
authorities.

When: Saturday, June 19, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 South 4th Street,
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2903

Free to all who register by June 4. For details and to register, visit:
http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/category/workshop/