Science Textbook Inventory

Global Inquiry • Investigation • Education • Research • Conservation

Session One: July 18th - 27th, 2010               
Session Two: July 28th- Aug 6th, 2010

The National Science Teachers Association and Holbrook Global Field Expeditions welcome you to explore the 2010 International Faculty Development series in Costa Rica.

Unlike traditional professional development workshops, this series is designed to immerse formal and informal science educators, and practicing and retired educational professionals, within the culture, environments, education, and research of the country of Costa Rica. This field clinic offers participants, from primary to post secondary teaching, a comprehensive and experiential platform to widen perspectives and strengthen global science exchange through real-world international interaction.  If you have yearned to explore the biodiversity of the tropical rainforest, seek global classroom linkages, participate in active research, or rejoice and celebrate in the art of teaching, your experiences will undoubtedly be personally and collectively transformative as you explore Costa Rica.     

Join either one or both sessions combined for one of the most enriching professional development experiences of your teaching career as described so passionately by 2009 participant Kathryn Elkins:

My eyes have become bigger after this field study, I am ready to do so much more not only in the classroom but in my own personal life. I have become more aware of true scientific research taking place within the rainforest and the importance of protecting the plant and wildlife species that rely on the rainforests. I often hear and read about the destruction of forests and the endangered species , but touching and observing those trees and animals that soon may be gone made an impression on me. It makes me want to do more for the planet and teach my students what they can do and how to be more environmentally conscious. My soul has been touched by this experience.  Attending the NSTA Costa Rica trip has made a very large impact on me. Thanks for your efforts in organizing a true learning experience.

*Participants may elect for optional graduate credits (3 credit hours) on behalf of CEU requirements.  For one lucky NSTA member, please be sure to ask us about the NSTA Scholarship for International Exchange offered for participation in the 2010 Costa Rica International Summer Study.

From March-October, 2010, you can participate in FREE workshops that offer Act 48 credit.

Workshops include:

• K-8: Practicing Sustainability Where you Live - March 12-13 at Chestnut Hill College
• 5-12: Integrating Authentic Scientific Reasoning in the Classroom - May 13-14 at Immaculata University
• K-12: Fertile Ground: Sustainability and Education - June 22 at Arcadia University
• K-12: Teaching the Millennial Generation an Interdisciplinary Model - June 29-July 1 at Rosemont College
• 5-12: Mathematics and Visualization Across the Disciplines: Applying the Singapore Method - July 12-16 at Neumann University
• 5-12 Game Programming in the Math Classroom with Alice - July 26-28 at Gwynedd-Mercy College
• 5-8: From Seed to Table: Integrating Middle School Math and Science Through Food - August 3 - Cabrini College
• K-12: Expanding the Circle: Teaching Math and Science in an Interdisciplinary Environment - October 23 at Holy Family University

To register, go to www.sepche.org

Congratulations to Robert Downs (CHS) and Phyllis Woolley-Roy (Columbus), who have been selected to represent CUSD at the 2010 National Science Teachers’ Association Conference in Philadelphia. Their scholarships were awarded based on essays each submitted, and include reimbursement for advanced registration and NSTA annual membership, as well as the cost of substitute coverage.

Congratulations to Mrs. Judith Lucas-Odom (Village) for having her presentation accepted to the 2010 NSTA Conference! Mrs. Lucas-Odom's presentation is entitled Wetlands Inquiry and will take place in Hall D, Room 21 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Sunday, March 21st, from 11:00am-12:00pm.

Please see this week's NSTA newsletter for Winter Olympics teaching resources, in the "File" section below.

The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is offering Science Workshops for Teachers. The workshops include:

 

Title	Who	Dates
Robots, Math and Solar System Exploration	Grades 6-8	July 12-16, 2010
The Heat is On! Confronting Climate change in the Classroom	Grades 4-9	July 19-23, 2010
Telescopes: Tools for Astronomical Discovery and the Search for Life on Other Planets	Grades 6-12	July 26-30, 2010
Lunar Exploration: Taking Earth Science to the Moon	Grades K-8	August 2-6, 2010
Black Holes: Gravity’s Fatal Attraction	Grades 6-12	August 2-6, 2010

 

For more information and to apply, go to http://www.teachscience.psu.edu. They can also be reached by phone 814-863-7688 and by e-mail at teachscience@psu.edu.

This year is the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2010). In preparation, iConserve Pennsylvania (www.iConservepa.org/earthday40) is sponsoring a contest to create and execute the most interesting and beneficial environmental project. Possible themes include Food, Biodiversity, Transportation, Water, and Total Carbon Footprint Reduction. Projects will be judged on sustainability, environmental impact and involvement of a large group of students, faculty and community. Projects can be registered at the above website. Projects are to be submitted by March 30, 2010. Go to the above website or contact the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at 717-772-9101 for more information.

Connecting Humans and Nature through Conservation Experiences (CHANCE) is a program designed to engage Pennsylvania in-service and pre-service high school teachers in environmental science and conservation biology through the excitement of hands-on research and conservation activities in selected ecosystems in Costa Rica and Panama. The field course takes place June 28-July 14, 2010. For more information, contact Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin at JShea@psu.edu.

Grey’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is kicking off their 2010 half-day education cruises, which introduce educators to a working NOAA research vessel and its capabilities. Nine educators are selected for each cruise on a first-come, first-served basis. Activities conducted while on the cruise include:

 

• Overview of acoustic fish tagging research project in progress at Gray's Reef

• Deployment of trawl net to sample estuarine species
• Deployment of plankton tow to sample estuarine phytoplankton and zooplankton
• Viewing and identification of plankton under field microscopes
• Deployment of Niskin tubes to collect water samples at various depth
• Conducting water quality monitoring test on samples (pH, N, Ph, salinity, conductivity, temperature)
• Overview of vessel navigational system
• Overview of GPS
• Deployment of hydrophones for underwater acoustics
• Deployment of Secchi disk to determine turbidity
• Completion of meta data sheets for all activities

 

Departure dates for this years’ cruises are:

February 20^th

March 27^th

May 8^th

 

Submit your request for participation to jody.patterson@noaa.gov to confirm your selection!