STEM Polar Connections
University of Massachusetts Amherst
July 14-18, 2008 UMass, Amherst
A one week institute for Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology teachers will be held this summer 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. It will address the rapid changes occurring in the physical environment, the corresponding impact on the biosphere, and the history and politics of the polar regions. Program includes summer institute and academic year online courses. Credits and PDP’s are available at a reduced fee. Applications are due April 1, 2008. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis. For More information and application forms:www.umassk12.net
voice: 413-545-0734, fax: 413-545-3697
UMASS NANOTECHNOLOGY SUMMER INSTITUTE
Monday to Friday, July 7-11, 2008 at UMass Amherst
The UMass Nanotechnology Summer Institute will explore the basic science and engineering concepts of this exciting new field, and will illustrate how they may be integrated into the usual math, science and technology courses in middle schools and high schools. Participants will begin to develop their curriculums for their own classes and report on their progress and results online in the fall. Three graduate credits at a reduced cost are available and free PDP’s are given. $75/day stipends ($375 total) will cover materials, parking, and lunches. Housing and meals are available for those outside the commuting radius. Applications are due April 1, 2008 . Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis. Application and more information at:
www.umassk12.net/nano voice: 413-545-1908, fax: 413-545-3697
Teaching for the Future: Renewable Energy & Climate Change
Upper Pioneer Valley Sustainable Energy Teaching Project
June 17-20, 2008, with preliminary session April 3rd, 2008 and follow up session in October 2008, Greenfield Community College Teachers study global climate change and solutions including sustainable building and transportation and renewable energy with Experts in the field of renewable energy and climate change. Teachers choose one or more topics to incorporate into their current class curriculum and create a curriculum unit that will be shared during a review in the fall. At least two teachers from each of the 15 different high schools and Technical Schools from the Upper Pioneer Valley are invited to participate through a application process. Teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Spaces are filling up fast, so apply ASAP! For an application or more information, contact Marie Silver, K12Project Manager at 413-545-0734 or, silverm@gcc.mass.edu.
Engineering for Classroom Teachers:Civil and Environmental Engineering in Our World
July 21-25, 2008; University of Massachusetts Amherst
This course enables middle school science teachers to deepen their knowledge of science and engineering concepts and develop hands-on classroom activities that include labs, field activities, utilizing Internet resources and software, and development and/or review of classroom resources. The areas of focus: Engineering Design, the Infrastructure, Foundations, Structures, Bridges, Environmental (water quality), Traffic and Transportation Safety, Civil Construction Materials and Technologies and Civil Engineering Measurements. Spaces are available for middle school science teachers and fill up quickly (So please register early). Three graduate credits are available through UMass Continuing Education: CE-ENGIN 797C OR course is also available for 40 PDP's (free of charge).
*If taking the course for PDP's, email kstcyrde@educ.umass.edu to be added to the list.
*$100.00 per credit and a $45.00 registration fee per student -- a total of $345.00. Full payment must be included for the registration to be processed.(Checks payable to Continuing & Professional Education). Contact Nancy Elwell at 545-0704 or email nelwell@contined.umass.edu with any questions. Register no later than Monday July 21, 2008.Additional information: www.ecs.umass.edu/ce-engin797c or Email Karen St. Cyr, Project Assistant at kstcyrde@educ.umass.edu. for further questions.
Pioneer Valley PreK-16 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education "Pipeline" Regional Network
is offering a number of courses this summer. The program is open only for teachers in Massachusetts schools and priority is given to teachers in high needs school districts. All courses have four required follow-up sessions in the fall ‘08 that must be completed in order to receive the $800 stipend (unless noted otherwise).
Electricity and Magnetism for the Middle Grades Mondays, June 2 through July 28; 4:30pm - 8:30pm; UMass Amherst, Lederle Graduate Research Tower room 1033.
This course is designed to meet the needs of teachers in the middle grades with a focus on the Physical Sciences content for grades 3-5. Topics include: electricity, magnetism, light and sound, and forms of energy. During class meetings, students will engage in lab work that provides both instruction in content and models learning activities that are appropriate for the elementary classroom. Course assignments are designed to support participants' development of curriculum material, incorporating the connections between content and pedagogy, which will be relevant and useful in their school setting.Graduate 3-credit option available through continuing education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (This course does not have a stipend).
Integrating Trigonometry/Calculus into the Teaching of Middle School Mathematics
July 21 – August 1, 2008; Holyoke Community College
(Please note that this course is NOT for students who have previously enrolled in UMass EDUC 615AN or EDUC 695GG). This course is designed to enable fifth through eighth grade teachers to deepen their knowledge of trigonometry and calculus. The course will be consistent with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The history of mathematics(trigonometry/calculus) will be integrated into the course by placing selected topics in their historical context. Technology will be intergrated into the course through the use of graphing calculators such as the TI-83 and review education oriented websites. Three graduate credits are available through Continuing Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Chemistry: Basic Concepts for the Elementary and Middle School Classroom
July 7 – July 18, 2008; Holyoke Community College
This course is intended for elementary and middle school teachers in Massachusetts who wish to increase their understanding of chemical concepts encountered in the middle school curriculum. In addition, participants will be introduced to the methods employed by scientists and their limitations, they will be exposed to laboratory processes, and they will be given a contemporary view of the world. The course has been developed following the MTEL Mathematics/ Science Middle School Licensure Test Objectives, the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Curriculum Framework, and the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework. Three graduate credits are available through Continuing Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Integrating Technology/Engineering into The Teaching of Middle School Mathematics
August 4 – August 14, 2008; Westfield State College
This course is designed to enable fifth through eighth grade teachers to deepen their knowledge of mathematics and technology/engineering.
Participants will develop hands-on classroom activities integrating mathematics and engineering/technology. These activities will incorporate the standards of the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), ITEA (International Technology Education Association)
and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for both middle school mathematics and technology/ engineering. Three graduate credits are available through Continuing Education at Westfield State College.
Physical Science for Middle School Teachers
July 21 -- August 1, 2008; Western New England College
This course provides students with a unifying understanding to the different fields of Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy and Chemistry.
The underlying structure and working of science will be explored through the strategy of inquiring in a given field, generalizing the relations to a physical law, and then applying general physical laws to other phenomena and
circumstances in nature. Three graduate credits are available from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
For more information and to register, please see the PV STEMNT website at http://k12s.phast.umass.edu/pvnet/mathscience.htm
COSTA RICA: Natural History & Cultural Exchange August 9-20, 2008
The Natural Focus LLC and Westfield State College’s Center for Teacher Education and Research is offering a special trip designed for K-12 teachers. Experienced naturalist guides Laurie Sanders and Fred Morrison will take a group of sixteen teachers to discover the natural beauty of this tropical country. The 12-day itinerary will cover the active volcano Arenal, hot springs, Monterverde Cloud Forest reserve, and the ecosystems of diverse animal and plant species. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit local schools and help in conservation projects. PDPs are available. Cost of trip is $1,600 per person/double occupancy $1,800 per person/single occupancy which includes all in-country ground transportation, hotel accommodations, all meals, guides, entrance fees, and hotels.To Reserve your place, call 413/527-5903 or e-mail:anaturalfocus@crocker.com
Jazz in July Teachers Training Program
July 14 – 18 This one week program is designed for music educators interested in teaching methods and materials, as well as practical approaches to the study of jazz improvisation. Participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures, participate in master classes, observe and critique student and faculty performances, and attend afternoon sessions that address various topics of jazz education and jazz program development. Teachers have the option to attend other programs offered the week of July 7-ll. Several other add-on options specifically designed for teachers working toward re-certification or professional development include graduate level academic credit, Massachusetts Department of Education-authorized, PDP's, and/or tuition waivers based on recruiting students to Jazz in July.
Call 413-545-3530 or go to www.jazzinjuly.com for more information.
The Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS) 2008 Summer Institute
July 7-18, 2008; 9 am-3:30 pm (plus 4 hours during school year) Various institutes will be held throughout different regions in Massachusetts for Pre-K to 8th grade educators in Science, Math, and Engineering. (Educators of other subjects also welcome.) Educators will receive a MITS Certificate of Completion and have the option to earn either 60 or 90 PDPs (30 PDPs/week). Also, 3-4 additional Graduate credits from participating state colleges are offered at an additional cost (for partipants who have completed 90 PDPs).
Springfield Region: Children’s museum in Holyoke Planning is still in progress.
Please check http://www.mits.org/summer_institute.htm for updates or contact Dana at Abrazinski@childrensmuseumholyoke.org
Berkshire Region: Berkshire Museum and other local museums Participants will
explore the history of renewable energy from the Shakers to today, experiment with the chemistry of food, learn the science behind forensics, develop activities that promote a healthier lifestyle for students and learn how to encourage students to think critically. Contact Elyse Goldberg at egoldberg@berkshiremuseum.org
Lowell Region: Tsongas Industrial History Center Participants will have the opportunity to: learn about the science and engineering of the first American Industrial Revolution and how it continues in the Merrimack Valley today, explore alternative energy sources, find out about sustainable practices in our outdoor spaces, engage in the engineering design process, and learn how to integrate science and math with hands-on activities. Contact Beverly Perna at Beverly_Perna@uml.edu
Southeast Region: New Bedford Whaling Museum and other local museums Participants will learn about climate change from the ground up, discover how a warming of our climate could impact ecology in New England, learn how energy flow in the natural world and in human-created environments, get an insider’s look at a modern zoo’s role in conservation locally to internationally. Contact Bob Rocha at rrocha@whalingmuseum.org
Worcester Region Mass. Audubon Broad Meadow Brook and local museums Participants will examine why biodiversity is important and how new species are “discovered”, use schoolyard gardens as a metaphor for global agricultural issues, discover how to protect rare native species from invasive, non-native species, discover the secrets of ancient artifacts through technology, investigate the challenges of telling apart original from fake art work, and explore alternatives energy. Contact Duke Dawson at dukedawson@charter.net
Eric Carle Museum
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has a number of programs that may be of interest to teachers and parents. Upcoming spring/summer events can be found at: http://www.picturebookart.org/Programs_Events/Upcoming
For more information on the Carle’s collaboration with Simmon’s College to create a MFA in writing for children, beginning September 2008, visit http://www.simmons.edu/gradstudies/liberal-arts/academics/childrens-literature/ericcarle.shtml
The PHOTON PBL Project
July 27- August 1, 2008
Sponsored by the New England Board of Higher Education and funded by NSF, the PHOTON PBL project is intended to improve STEM education in high school and colleges. The PHOTON PBL Project is specifically focused on developing Problem Based Learning (PBL) materials for teachers. The project has developed eight interdisciplinary laser and photonics-based multi-media Challenges that can be incorporated into existing science and technology curricula. These Challenges use student-centered teaching methods, and are designed to be adaptable for high school through college-level courses. Participants will learn the pedagogy behind the PBL instructional method, and how to adapt and implement the Challenges. After the workshop, each educator will field-test two Challenges and provide feedback to the project. The grant will cover all travel and workshop expenses, and a $500 stipend is paid upon completion of each of the
two field-tested Challenges ($1,000 maximum).
A secondary focus is on developing educational pathways for students as they transition from high school to college by helping schools develop partnerships between their local high schools and community colleges and/or four-year colleges. Thus, in order to participate in this project, educators must partner with at least one other educator at a nearby institution who teaches at a different level. Register no later than April 21, 2008. Applications can be emailed to Fenna Hanes at fhanes@nebhe.org or fax to 617-338-1577. For more info or to download the application visit the website at http://www.photonprojects.org or call 617.357.9620 x 129.
Earth Science by Design Leadership Workshop Summer 2008
June 23-25, 2008; Cambridge, Massachusetts
This workshop will prepare school leaders, college faculty, and staff developers to use the
The Earth Science by Design approach. Participants will learn how the ESBD brings "Understanding by Design" to Earth Science and how the ESBD helps teachers enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge to facilitate their teaching. All necessary materials of the program and access to the ESBD Web Site are supplied. The year-long Earth Science by Design professional development program may be offered by a school, district, or other organization to middle and high school Earth Science teachers. For more information and to register, visit http://www.
esbd.org/
Massachusetts Department of Education Chemistry and Physics Summer Institutes
Two institutes in Chemistry and Physics will be offered this summer 2008. Both programs will allow participants to increase their competency
in teaching science, leave with great activities and $200 dollars of instructional supplies, and earn 67.5 professional development points. 3-graduate credits at $50 dollars per credit will also be available. Two call back meetings will be held in the fall (TBA).
Lab Based Chemistry July 8-11, July 14-17 (tentative); 8:30am- 3:30pm; Chelsea High School For Educators in grades 6-9 & HS Special Needs Resource Staff.
Lab Based Physics July 22-25, July 28-31; 8:30am to 3:30pm; University of MASS at Lowell, Olney Hall For Educators in grades 7-12 & HS Special Needs Resource Staff.
For additional information concerning either of these opportunities, please email: greenman.mark@marbleheadschools.org or call Mark Greenman at (781) 248-4952
Teaching Elementary Life Science Online Course
Six-week course - June 23 through August 8th, 2008
WGBY, in partnership with the Massachusetts DOE and Easthampton Public Schools, is offering the online course Teaching Elementary Life Science. The course will allow elementary-grade teachers to gain a comprehensive understanding of life science in order to increase their students' understanding. The course is geared towards constructivist learning and inquiring about living things, plants as producers, animals as consumers, heredity and adaptation, interaction of organisms, and the human impact onecosystems. In the final week, teachers will be able to develop their own science activities for the classroom. All coursework is done online. No set meeting times are required, just successful completion of course activities at the end of each session. Upon course completion, participants will receive a certification for 50
PDPs. Optional graduate credit will be available. Because this project has been grant funded, there is no cost as a teacher. Space is limited, with only 25 seats available, so apply promptly by contacting Heather Lavigne at hlavigne@wgby.org. Visit http://www.wgby.org/edu or call (413) 781-2801 ex. 286 for more information.
Unlocking Linear Equations and Exploring Their Foundations
June 5 (3-6pm), July 22-24 and July 29-31, 2008 (8:00am to 3:30pm); Williams Middle School, Chelsea MA
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is providing an institute this summer designed to assist teachers to advance a deeper understanding of important topics and their conceptual foundations allowing them to craft their pedagogy. Upon successful completion of the Institute, participants will obtain 67.5 PDPs at no cost. Graduate credits from Fitchburg State College are optional. Three follow-up dates are TBA (3-6 PM). Spaces are limited, so please register as soon as possible at: "http://www.edutron.com/PDI2008/Registration-MS.htm or contact Kai C. Liu at KCLBA8@EduTron.com or call (781) 729-8696.
Teaching Science in your Watershed Using Real World Local Environmental Issues to Teach Science
June 26, 27, 30 and July 1, 2008; Westfield, MA
Participants will learn the basics of watershed science, focusing on real-world local environmental issues such as: human impacts on water quality, effects of invasive species on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the reintroduction of Atlantic Salmon. Participants will also engage in specific activities relevant to their classroom or schoolyard, including: stream monitoring & water quality, basic mapping skills, including GIS & GPS technology, investigating soils, and studying the impacts of the hemlock woolly adelgid. All K-12 teachers are welcome to attend. However, workshops are targeted for teachers of science in upper elementary to high school grades. Registration Fee of $150 covers meals and materials. However, stipends from the Westfield River Environmental Center are offered to the first 15 participants registered by June 6th. Graduate credits may be possible to attain. To register, contact Audrey Antosz at aantosz@wsc.ma or call 1-413-572-8065.
