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2009 Earth Science Week ToolKit
UCD Denver Department of Mathematics & Statistical Sciences Events
View Curricular Development Fall 2009 Activities
GK12 Transforming Experiences
STEMester of Service Grants Overview
Non RM-MSMSP Professional Development Course Opportunities
16 Ways to be a Better Teacher

2009 Earth Science Week Toolkit
*Email National Park Service Ecologist Bruce Nash for your free toolkit

The American Geological Institute (AGI) sponsors Earth Science Week annually. This year's topic is “Understanding Climate” and occurs from October 11-17th.  Read more about Earth Science Week at their site. The National Park Service Geologic Resources Division was able to obtain a number of these toolkits, and if you are interested, we can send one to you for the low, low price of:  FREE.

The 2009 Earth Science Week Toolkit includes:

  • A 12-month school-year activity calendar, suitable for hanging
  • The new Earth Science Week poster, including a climate activity
  • USGS climate education resources, including volcano materials
  • NASA climate resources, including a “Dynamic Earth” DVD
  • A report on “Ecological Impacts of Climate Change”
  • A National Park Service poster on glaciers nationwide
  • A new brochure outlining principles for Earth science literacy
  • A CD on GIS technology and activities from ESRI
  • A genuine field notebook from Rite in the Rain
  • Climate literacy materials provided by NOAA
  • Information about the National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Activity sheets from the Association for Women Geoscientists
  • Brochures, bookmarks, fact sheets, postcards, and more

UCD Denver Department of Mathematics & Statistical Sciences Events

Visit the UCD Math website for any new upcoming events!

View Curricular Development Fall 2009 Activities

Location: University of Colorado Denver
When: Tuesday eveings for 3 hours
What: Developing curricular materials for Views and using the national parks in educational venues. 

Bruce L. Nash, Ph.D.
Ph:  303-987-6697
FAX:  303-987-6704
Email:  bruce_nash@nps.gov

GK12 Transforming Experiences

The GK-12 Transforming Experiences Project at the University of Colorado Denver is a 5-year National Science Foundation (NSF) funded grant which institutes a system that enhances and strengthens the research and teaching of the chosen GK-12 Fellows. Through interdisciplinary teams - Transforming Experiences Learning Communities (TELC) - including science and mathematics GK-12 Fellows, university content faculty and middle school Lead Teachers (LT), the project creates a process for transformation and simultaneous renewal. The GK-12 Fellows, with assistance from their faculty mentors, serve as Resident Mathematicians (RM) and Scientists (RS) to middle school classrooms as co-instructional partners for enhancement of curriculum, positive role models, and content and research experts. Collaborating LTs are chosen because of their high participation in the Rocky Mountain Middle School Math and Science Partnership (NSF funded), and assist GK-12 Residents with the understanding and implementation of a variety of instructional strategies, learning theory, and curricular development.

Additionally, global connections are made as TELCs participate in regular collaborative experiences with international colleagues. Selected GK-12 Residents and members of their TELC have an opportunity to travel to China to work with international researchers while experiencing other K-12 science and math educational systems.

Application Opens: early November
Application Due: Friday, February 19th, 2010

Observations & Interviews Conducted: February & March 2010
Anticipated Announcement of Awards: early April 2010

Application is located here.

 

STEMester of Service Grants Overview

Contingent on federal funding, Youth Service America (YSA) will implement a program to support middle school science teachers and service-learning coordinators to strengthen their classroom practices through service-learning, a teaching method that combines meaningful service with curriculum or program-based learning. The grant targets students from disadvantaged circumstances in states with the highest drop out rates in the nation (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington).

STEMester of Service engages middle school youth in science and technology-focused service-learning projects that address community problems. Research shows that service-learning connects students to their schools and communities while improving academic achievement. Semester-long service-learning opportunities incorporate youth voice and opportunities for reflection, are connected to educational standards, and demonstrate community impact. With training and preparation occurring in the fall for grantees, school programs will launch on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2010, and culminate on Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25, 2010.

The program components include:

  • Annual competitive $5,000 grant for teachers or service-learning coordinators. ($1,000 of the grant will be applied toward travel for professional development.)
  • Additional $500 to subsidize a stipend for an “ally” located in each school who will support the grantee and help to establish a more sustainable program at their school.
  • Training and professional development, including participation at YSA’s Youth Service Institute in Washington, D.C, October 2009.
  • Resources such as curriculum guides and project ideas aligned to academic standards to help grantees plan and implement STEMemester of Service.
  • Technical assistance and personalized online support from YSA.
  • National recognition and visibility through YSA communications and outreach initiatives.

Grantees will engage up to 75 six through eighth-graders in a semester-long service-learning program. With a focus on environmental concerns, STEMester of Service’s goals include addressing community problems, encouraging students to explore STEM careers, and preventing early dropout. Environmental issues addressed can include green space availability, health effects, climate change, and disaster management.  The projects should provide students with opportunities to use technology to deepen and demonstrate their learning.  
Who is eligible?

  1. Teachers, administrators and service-learning coordinators in middle schools
  2. Staff and service-learning coordinators in afterschool programs
  3. The schools and after-school programs must be located in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.

How to apply:
Please begin by completing our Eligibility Quiz. If you are eligible, you will be given access the application materials.
Timeline

  • Application deadline: July 15, 2009
  • Notification:  August 30, 2009
  • Programs take place September 2009-June 2010

For more information or to apply, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/mwchwp. Questions?  Email stem@ysa.org.

 

16 Ways to be a Better Teacher

From The Fast Company Magazine, Issue 53, December 2001, p. 114. Abstract seen on the National Council of Teachers of English [NCTE] list, Tuesday, March 9, 2004.

Click here for article.
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