Spring 2003
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2002 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Congratulations: Carolyn Jacobs |
Left to right: Rita Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation; Carolyn Jacobs; John H. Marburger III, Ph.D., Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
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Carolyn Jacobs is a University of Wyoming, Master of Science in Natural Science graduate student who will be graduating this semester. She is a teacher at Dean Morgan Junior High in Casper. This March, Carolyn received the news that she had been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Secondary Science, for the state of Wyoming. All Presidential Awardees receive a $7,500 educational grant for their schools and a trip to Washington, D. C., to accept the Presidential citation.
While in our Nation’s Capitol, Carolyn, along with the other National Awardees, visited the White House and were greeted by First Lady, Laura Bush and had their picture taken with her in the East Room of the White House. During their stay in D. C., they participated in a variety of events, met with members of Congress and the Administration, and shared their expertise with colleagues.
Carolyn received her award on Friday evening, March 21, during a ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This award was established in 1983 honoring our Nation’s leading mathematics and science teachers in four separate categories: elementary mathematics, elementary science, secondary mathematics and secondary science. Congratulations Carolyn!
| WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF EXCITEMENT? |
What is your idea of excitement? Soaring above the African Plains in a hot air balloon, swimming with leopard sharks off of Catalina Island, or experiencing the exhilaration of releasing endangered baby sea turtles back into their natural habitat?
Our Affiliate Faculty Member, Kate Muir, has experienced all of these at different stages of her diverse, action packed, if somewhat unorthodox journey.
Kate received her BA in Biological Sciences, with a marine emphasis, from the University of California, Berkeley. Her field of study and a fondness for all things aquatic, led to her being a Marine Science instructor at Catalina Island Marine Institute.
There she taught island and marine environmental education programs to students of all ages through field-work and hands-on lab programs.
Kate said some of her most rewarding work was “Introducing the ocean to kids for the first time, watching them running away from the waves, squealing with delight.
Seeing their faces light up as waves spray across their face.”
From there Kate acquired her teaching credential in Life Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara and went on to be an Elementary Science Specialist at an inner city school in Los Angeles. “Teaching science to students in a school that lacks resources but not enthusiasm” was a high point to Muir. Several years later after stints at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and University of California, Los Angeles Ocean Discovery Center Kate received her PH. D. from UCLA. In 2002 she assumed a position with the University of Wyoming College of Education as an Assistant Professor. She chose the University of Wyoming because “it was one of the few places where I could be a mentor and follow my students through their student teaching”.
Shortly after arriving at the University of Wyoming Kate also became a Science and Mathematics Affiliate Faculty Member, becoming an indispensable addition. Lover of marine life, educator to students of all ages, world traveler, and with a magnetic personality to boot—all reasons Kate Muir is a good addition to our team.
| From the Director, Judy Ellsworth |
Summer 2003, should be an interesting time. Twenty-four teachers in Cohort 1 of the Middle-level Mathematics Initiative and 18 in Cohort 2 will be on campus taking courses in a 3-week session from June 9-27.
Cohort 1 teachers will be starting the second year of their 2-year program taking courses in Technology and the Mathematics of Change.
Cohort 2 members will begin their program with courses in Geometry and Assessment.
Starting with the second cohort, teachers will enter each year and take a 2-year sequence from where they start.
Therefore, new members will join this group next summer.
This follows the summer science model where new teachers (approx. 1/3 of the class membership) enter and others finish each summer, providing an ongoing mentoring experience between class participants.
Nineteen teachers will be participating in this summer’s MSNS Science program which will run from June 9-July 3.
The focus will be on physical sciences and the teachers will be taking courses in Physical Science in Global Context, Mathematics and Statistics in Science, Teaching Strategies in Integrated Science Teaching, and Energy Policies & Impacts.
The fall 2003 newsletter will highlight the students and faculty in the summer programs, which means the SMTC staff will be interviewing and taking pictures throughout the sessions.
Information and applications for 2004 (science and math) will be on the SMTC website in June.
As you look through the newsletter you will see a number of other courses and institutes being offered in mathematics and science throughout the summer, both on and off campus. Take advantage of these opportunities, as they will provide rich experiences to expand on what can be done in the classroom. Be sure to continue to check out the website for new events. E-mail alerts are also sent to those who are on our e-mail list as new classes and other opportunities arise throughout the year. We try to limit those alerts so that the information is timely and manageable. If you would like to be on our e-mail list, you can sign up on our website. As always, we are interested in courses or other help you would like to see provided through the SMTC. Please contact Pete Ellsworth with any ideas you have (peterc@uwyo.edu). We hope to see you this summer.
| New Science and Mathematics Teaching Center Faculty Affiliates |
The Science and Mathematics Teaching Center is pleased to announce the addition of 12 new Affiliates: Dan Buttry, Professor, Chemistry; Lydia Dambekalns, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction; Carrick Eggleston, Associate Professor, Geology and Geophysics; Kathleen Harper, Assistant Director, Wyoming Space Grant Consortium; Jerry Hamann, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Snehalata Huzurbazar, Associate Professor, Statistics; James McClurg, Professor Emeritus, Geology and Geophysics; Kate Muir, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction; Duane Porter, Professor, Mathematics; Tim Robinson, Assistant Professor, Statistics; Chanyoung Shader, Associate Professor, Mathematics; Doug Wachob, Adjunct Faculty, Zoology and Physiology [Director of Science and Research at the Teton Science School]. Welcome aboard!
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Congratulations!!
*SMTC Faculty Affiliates in bold |
Congratulations to a team led by Jerry Hamann (Engineering), which included:
Nancy Peck, Sally Steadman (Engineering), Dennis Coon, and Linda
Hutchison (Secondary Education) for their successful Hewlett Foundation proposal.
They will soon be receiving a copy of a news release from the Hewlett Foundation announcing the award, which will be for $1.15 million.
The funding will be used for recruitment, retention, and enhancing the freshman and sophomore level experience. Recruitment activities will include working with K-12 teachers to develop instructional models with an engineering/technology context for use in the classroom. Retention/quality efforts will focus on the ES program and the related math and science.
| SMTC Affiliate Wins Award |
Each year, Mortar Board (the senior honor society) members nominate outstanding faculty members as their “Top Prof” for the current academic year, honoring professors who have had a positive impact on the student’s college experience. This year, Mortar Board member Gustave Anderson of Cody selected Lynne Ipina, (Mathematics).
| Joe Stepans Will Bring His Expertise to Taiwan |
Professor Joe Stepans was one of two experts invited by the government of Taiwan to speak to a group of 150 university faculty, researchers and education specialists from across the country. The government has targeted students’ science misconceptions as the area of emphasis for this national conference. The conference will be held May 7-9, 2003 in Pintung, which is southeast of Taiwan. Professor Stepans will do four presentations: Examples of students’ science misconceptions as identified through current research; Factors which contribute to either students retaining their mis (naïve) conceptions or adding new misconceptions; Ways to collect and make sense of student misconceptions; and Targeting students science misconceptions through instruction.
| New Additions to SMTC’s Staff |
We would like to introduce our accountant, Melanie Austin. Hired in May of 2002, she replaced Mary Ertzberger.
Melanie is a 25-year Wyoming resident. She graduated from LCCC with an A.S. in Accounting and graduated from UW with a B.S. in Human Resource Management. She has worked in banking, and real estate. Although this is her first experience with grant accounting, Melanie is now up to speed and doing a great job in only 10 short months!
Melanie has been married for 8 years. She and her husband, Bob, have 2 young children, Tara and Tabitha, and they like to spend as much time with their children as possible. The Austin’s enjoy camping and hunting as a family. Melanie loves to pass all of her “free time” by reading, watching movies and playing with her children. If you happen to be in our building, Wyo Hall, stop by and meet Melanie (in room 404).
Ever hear of Starkville, Mississippi? Neither had we until Traci Lee Brumfield was hired last June to replace Michael Mann. Fortunately for us, Traci was seeking employment in Laramie so she, her husband Patrick, and their two children, Austin and Sara, could be close to family already living in Laramie.
As very family-oriented people, Traci and Patrick love the quality of life that Laramie and the surrounding area have to offer. They are overjoyed at the friendliness and relaxed nature of the people who live here. Since they moved to Laramie, as a family they do a lot more "outdoorsy" stuff like hiking and bike riding. In her spare time, Traci likes to bead jewelry and hopes to have a flower garden when it warms up enough.
Traci is a wonderful addition to the SMTC staff. As she would say, “Y'all stop by when you are on the floor.”
| KALEN RITZ, MS in natural science Graduate Student receives first Nunn Family Scholarship |
Excerpt from the Nunn Family Scholarship Announcement on the UW Website:
August 23, 2002-- An agreement between the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences and the Teton Science School (TSS) will benefit graduate students pursuing degrees in natural science or other related graduate degree programs available at UW. A&S Board of Visitors members Jack and Carole Nunn established the Nunn Family Scholarship and Excellence Fund in Arts and Sciences. It provides UW graduate fellowships to those who complete the TSS Professional Residency in Environmental Education and Natural Science (PREE) program and provides UW undergraduate scholarships to graduates of the TSS Journeys School. "I am delighted that Jack and Carole have chosen to endow this scholarship because it provides support for the many fine students who have attended the Teton Science School and wish to attend UW," says A&S Dean Oliver Walter. "I expect that many of them will want to pursue the Master of Science in natural science, a degree administered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education." [through the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center]
Kalen Ritz is the first recipient of the Nunn Family Scholarship. She is a recent graduate of the Teton Science School Professional Residency in Environmental Education and Natural Science Program (PREE) and is now working on her Master of Science in natural science (Option 2) degree in the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center. The MSNS: Option 2 degree was created in 2002 as a collaboration between the University of Wyoming and the Teton Science School [see Spring 2002 SMTC Newsletter, http://smtc.uwyo.edu/newsletter/spring2002/, p. 1 for details]. Kalen has also been selected as the Graduate Assistant for the SMTC.
Kalen graduated from Indiana University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a concentration in Environmental Management. Prior to moving to northwest Wyoming in 2001 for the PREE program, she lived in Boulder, Colorado for two years working at a law firm and photography/ecology camp. Kalen recently relocated to Laramie in January to complete her degree at the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center.
Kalen enjoys participating in various outdoor activities, such as backpacking, snow sports, and hiking. She also spends her time cooking, reading, bookmaking and quilting. She has a passion for educating people of all ages, especially young adolescents. Upon completion of her degree, Kalen hopes to teach in a classroom environment where she can incorporate the natural world in daily learning activities.
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Congratulations to the 2 Newest Master of Science in Natural Science Graduates!
Paul Crips and Kathy Watson |
Paul Crips graduated in the fall of 2002. His Plan B paper was titled: Do student created science experiments make science more meaningful and enjoyable?
Through a series of student interviews and laboratory setups, Paul developed a process where students had the chance to create their own science experiments that fit within the state science standards. Students were then evaluated on the process and asked to evaluate how they viewed the entire learning process. A rubric was developed for the evaluation process and students were expected to share their findings with others. Problem solving skills were emphasized using the Richard Paul Model of Critical Thinking. The paper was organized to show the intent of the project with supporting documentation. The project also included photographic illustrations using both printed photographs and a selection of photo's on CD that researchers could view to learn more about the project.
Kathy Watson graduated in the fall of 2002. Her Plan B paper was titled: Effects on Teachers and Students Resulting From Project WYO BEST.
During the 2001-2002 school year, the Wyoming Department of Education, in cooperation with several other entities, sponsored Project WYO. BEST which is a statewide standards-based, technology integration professional development initiative for Wyoming teachers. As a trainer for WYO. BEST, I was interested in the effects of this type of professional development on teachers’ classroom practices and student response to those changes in practice. My Plan B study focused on one of my training groups, which consisted of teachers from all grade levels and subject areas, as well as, two principals. Using participant responses to pre and post training surveys in addition to interviews, several trends were inferred. Many of those who began with minimal technology skills and a low comfort level made great gains in both ability and comfort of use with regards to technology. As comfort and ability level improved, the ability to integrate technology into the classroom as a tool to improve student learning also increased. A trend relating to student motivation was unable to be determined due to the limited time frame of the study. Study responses indicated, however, that this type of training is beneficial to teachers’ growth in the area of technology integration.
| 5th Annual Women in Science (WIS) Forum at the University of Wyoming |
Tuesday, May 6, 2003 the National Weather Service, in cooperation with Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, will be hosting the 5th Annual Women in Science (WIS) Forum at the University of Wyoming.
Women in Science forums are designed for all students in grades 7 through 12 to learn firsthand about careers in science and technology from accomplished professional women scientists. Our Nation will need millions of bright people in the rapidly changing science and technology fields. In order to meet this demand, it will take a focused effort to draw young people into these fields. By presenting these role models, we hope to encourage all students (especially young women and minorities) to pursue higher education and careers in math and science.
The forum will start at 9:00 AM and will end at 2:30 PM. There will be some limited funding available, on a first come first served basis, for those students unable to make the trip in one day and need overnight assistance. If you believe you need this option, you should contact Karen Schroeder at the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium as soon as possible at 307-766-2862. There are also limited funds available to all school districts for help with transportation costs.
Activities are planned this year that will include an interschool competition. A few lucky students may receive savings bonds or possibly a grand prize of a trip to Space Camp or a similar science venue.
For more information on the WIS Forum, please contact Joe Sullivan with Riverton National Weather Service Warning and Forecast office at 307-857-3898 or Karen Schroeder at 307-766-2862.
| GLOBE |
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program provides a rich context for learning science and mathematics while using GIS, GPS and remote sensing technologies.
In GLOBE, hundreds of thousands of primary and secondary students around the world are working in partnership with scientists to collect important data for research about the Earth’s environment.
More than 7,500 schools in more than 85 countries participate in this worldwide effort.
GLOBE students measure and report physical, chemical and biological properties of Atmosphere and Climate, Hydrology, Soils, Land Cover and Plant Phenology to learn about Earth system science.
GLOBE students also access these data for classroom studies, research, student-scientist partnerships, and worldwide school-to-school collaborations.
The next GLOBE workshop for teachers will be held July 7-11 in Laramie. For more information, please contact Dr. Alan Buss at abuss@uwyo.edu or 307-766-3972.
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NATURAL RESOURCE DISCOVERY RENDEZVOUS
Trading Resources and Knowledge |
Are you looking for a workshop that shows new and exciting ways to present a wide variety of school subjects to your students?
Or are you interested in finding out how to successfully take your students outside to learn about natural resources?
Then make plans today to attend the Natural Resource Discovery Rendezvous and join Wyoming
Agriculture in the Classroom, Popo Agie Conservation District, and the Nature
Conservancy Red Canyon Ranch in an educational rendezvous on ways to educate
students about natural resources and agriculture.
The Natural Resource Discovery Rendezvous will be held in Lander on June 10 to June 12, 2003. The course registration fee is $25.00 per person, which covers two meals, snacks and all course materials. University of Wyoming NASC 5959 Credit is available for $35.00. For more information on the course, please contact Shannon Andreen-Shipp, WDA Education Coordinator at 307-777-6618, email wyaic@state.wy.us. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.agclassroom.org/wy.
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Using the Landscape as a Classroom: Introduction to Rangeland Perspectives
Summer Professional Development Course July 21-25, Rock Springs, Wyoming |
This remarkable class provides educators with interdisciplinary, place-based activities demonstrating how outdoor education can be incorporated into classroom lessons that address multiple state educational standards. Participants will gain new perspectives on the evolution of Wyoming's rangelands, man's role in these rangelands, and how they can function as educational laboratories. The course is the result of collaboration between a broad-based group of individuals and organizations from the Education, Natural Resource and Environmental communities. One example of how the information from this class can be used as a part of your district's instructional program and body of evidence plan can be found at http://smtc.uwyo.edu/crm/Wyoming_Activities-Based_Assessments.pdf
Presenters for this year's program include:
Scholarships of up to $600.00 are available to assist with the cost of transportation, tuition, meals and lodging. To be considered for the scholarship you must meet the registration deadline of May 1, 2003.
For more Information, you may contact: Shannon Andreen-Shipp Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom, (307) 777-6618, wyaic@state.wy.us; or Pete Ellsworth, SMTC (307) 766-6671 or Peterc@uwyo.edu Additional information on speakers, agenda, and registration will be forwarded to readers of the SMTC newsletter as it becomes available.
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Home(s) on the Range:
A new project to provide materials that teachers can use to better understand and teach about open space and land fragmentation issues. |
The SMTC is collaborating with the Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom program, UW’s William D. Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust in the development of this project. The purpose of the project will be to develop and implement a series of lessons that address the topic and meet Wyoming Content and Performance curriculum standards and benchmark requirements.
Lesson topics will include: a comparison between land use and growth patterns in Wyoming with what is happening throughout the West and the country; the intermingled nature of Wyoming’s public and private land ownership patterns; the role of ranch and farmlands in open spaces conservation; effects of land fragmentation on agriculture, wildlife, and rural communities; and options for conserving agricultural land and open spaces. The series of lessons will conclude with students completing a visioning exercise to address land conservation issues in a fictitious Wyoming community, which will be assisted by other educational programs. The classroom lessons will be modeled with interdisciplinary links to science, social studies, math and language arts. GIS programs will be utilized to experiment with different development patterns and land conservation tools and receive both graphic and statistical feedback on the future ability of the land to support both wildlife and agriculture.
The pilot versions of the lessons will be introduced during this summer's Using the Landscape as a Classroom course (See related article, above, for more information about this class), which has been offered each summer since 2001. The program will provide technical assistance and financial support for teachers who wish to implement the lessons with their own classes. The project has received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support project activities. Financial support is also being provided by WAIC, SMTC and the Ruckelshaus Institute. For further information about the program you may contact:
| The Engineering Summer Program (ESP) 2003 |
The Engineering Summer Program (ESP) will be held June 15-27, 2003 at the University of Wyoming(UW), for students entering their senior year of high school. ESP, a two-week summer program, exposes students to the challenges and rewards of careers in engineering. Students participate in hands-on laboratory activities in a variety of engineering disciplines and work directly with civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering faculty in exciting, discovery-based learning situations.
In laboratory sessions, students are introduced to developing technologies like robotics, to emerging research in environmental engineering, and to established areas like digital electronics and structural engineering.
The academic aspects of the program are complemented by typical university activities, including cultural and recreational events. Students live in the UW residence halls.
Applications are due March 28. For more information and application forms, visit the web site: http://www.eng.uwyo.edu/prospective, email ESP@uwyo.edu, or contact Susan McCormack at 307-766-4254. The Wyoming Engineering Society, the Kennedy Endowment, and the University of Wyoming fund ESP.
| 2003 Wyoming Science Fair Teachers’ Reception |
A number of science teachers and guests attended the SMTC reception during the State Science Fair March 10th, 2003.
It was great to see those familiar faces and to meet new teachers in our state. Teachers take time to do so many things for students, and this is one example of that extra effort.
| Chemistry Summer Camp: July 7 - July 11, 2003 |
This program is designed to help with the decline in new chemistry teachers in the state’s secondary education system. High school teachers from around the state, along with up to two of their students, are invited to attend a week-long program at the University of Wyoming (UW), where they will take part in a series of lectures and activities. The teachers will earn graduate credit for their participation, and we hope that the students will become inspired to pursue a career in secondary chemistry education.
The teachers and students will develop an experiment that can be used at their school. The chemistry department at UW will help in this effort by providing materials and lab space, by sharing their expertise in the subject, and by providing access to the UW computer facilities. The teacher/student teams will present the new experiments at the end of the week, and all of the participants will get a copy of each of the newly devised labs. The teachers will attend lectures provided by the College of Education. The students will get to meet some chemistry and education students who will talk to them about what it is like to be pursuing a career in teaching. Additionally, members of the chemistry department will expose the students and teachers to some of the exciting research that is going on at the university.
The Hach Scientific Foundation has generously given a grant to the UW to cover the costs of tuition, travel expenses, room and board for the week, and even a modest stipend. The only cost to you is for the stamp to mail us your application!
For more information or to request an application, please contact: Dr. Michael Sommer, UW Department of Chemistry, sommer@uwyo.edu, 307-766-2812 or Dr. Joseph Stepans, UW Science and Mathematics Teaching Center, jstepans@uwyo.edu, 307-766-4924.
Chemistry Summer Camp is sponsored by: Hach Scientific Foundation, UW Department of Chemistry, UW College of Education, and UW Science and Mathematics Teaching Center.
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Upcoming Water Workshops 2003
All workshops will take place at the Teton Science School |
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)-June 23-25
Traveling through time as a water molecule or competing in the H2Olympics are just two of the adventures you will have exploring water-related activities to use with K-12 students. Water is part of our lives all the time. Project WET provides innovative, interdisciplinary, hands-on activities for teaching about this important resource. Learn about properties of water, watersheds, ground water, water use, water within social structures and more. FEE: Free, pending approval
Healthy Water, Healthy People-June 26-28
Learn hands-on ways to make water quality concepts understandable and relevant to your students. Teton County water quality projects will be highlighted as field trip examples during the course. Educators will gain hands-on experience in testing water quality, and have the option to purchase kits to continue this with their students. Develop a water quality unit tied to the state standards. Received the Healthy Water, Healthy People Educator’s Guide. FEE: Free, pending approval
Water Quality Monitoring-Phase I-July 14-17
Many educators recognize the value of involving students in relevant field research in their local communities. The Phase I training program provides teachers with the equipment and skills to implement a water quality monitoring project based on GREEN, an international educational monitoring program, specifically adapted for Wyoming. Training sessions in water chemistry, habitat assessment, benthic macro-invertebrates, sampling protocols and field study design provide a foundation for initiating the program in the classroom and community. High school and middle school teachers attend in teams of two or more and receive over $1500 in sampling equipment. Open to Wyoming teachers only. Funded through Wyoming DEQ and EPA. $75.00, non-refundable fee.
Water Quality Monitoring-Phase II- July 28-31
Phase II is an advanced training for teachers who have completed Phase I training of water quality monitor and are interested in challenging their students with more complex sampling protocols. Riparian corridor assessment, geomorphology, hydrology, and in-stream habitat dynamics will be covered in this training. Open to Wyoming teachers who have completed Phase I of Water Quality Monitoring. Funded through Wyoming DEQ and EPA. $75.00, non-refundable fee.
To register for one of these workshops, contact Judy Herman at jherman@tetonscience.org. For more information, contact Sue Perin at sperin@tetonscience.org or call 307-733-4765.
| Wyoming Future Problem Solving State Bowl |
The Wyoming Future Problem Solving State Bowl will be held at the University of Wyoming on Friday, and Saturday, April 11th and 12th. Approximately 200 students from around the state will compete in the team, individual, and community problem solving competitions.
Competition will begin at 4:00 pm on Friday. Skit presentations of the team's action plan will be performed on Saturday. The bowl will culminate with an Awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon. For more information on the WFPS State Bowl, please contact Cindy Moore at 307-766-6735 or cmoore@uwyo.edu.
| Connected Mathematics Program Workshop |
Are you implementing the Connected Mathematics Program (CMP)?
Prepare by participating in a summer workshop sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Mathematics Leadership Collaborative.
The weeklong professional development opportunity will focus on curriculum support and pedagogy for teachers in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Applications must be received by June 6, 2003. Space is limited. For more information contact Kim Dolezal at: 307-782-6338, ext 209.
| Earth Science |
A Unique Opportunity for Secondary Teachers
An all-day, hands-on workshop will be offered in Casper, Saturday, April 26 for Middle School and High School Teachers. This nationally acclaimed workshop is free and you will go back with armloads of specimens and activities for your classroom including a 200 page manual of reproducible classroom-ready materials for hands-on earth science activities. The many activities and simulation games represent a variety of learning styles. The content covers both simple and complex concepts with topics covering universal themes and cross-curricular activities.
This workshop is delivered by the UW Department of Geology and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. It is hosted by the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center (SMTC). State Department Continuing Education Credit will be available.
To register, reserve a place, and/or get more information go on-line to http://smtc.uwyo.edu/aapg/reservation.asp or call Anne Crocco with SMTC at 307-766-6381.
| Wyoming Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) |
The Wyoming Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) would like to announce that it is changing its organizational structure. Founded in 1995, WAEE has been a membership-based organization dedicated to:
WAEE is a completely volunteer organization governed by a board of directors of nine professionals. The board is looking at better ways to meet WAEE’s mission through advances in technology and communication. Therefore, we are shifting from providing a membership service to a communication network among all who are interested in environmental education.
As part of this change, WAEE is working with other institutions and organizations to sponsor a series of teacher workshops across the state. Titled “Weekends in the Wild,” the goal of these workshops is to connect teachers, non-formal educators, content specialists, and community resources. Each workshop will have a theme related to the unique features of the location where the workshop is being held. Sessions and field trips will cover natural history, human history and culture, science and math, language arts, and the local resources for teaching the topics.
The first workshop was held Jan 24-26 in Dubois with the theme of Bighorn Sheep. WAEE’s cosponsors were the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center and the Lucius Burch Center for Western Tradition. Biologists and educators from the Wyoming Dept. of Game and Fish also contributed. Planning is underway for two more workshops, one in spring and one in summer. A grant application was submitted to EPA for funding 5 workshops during the ’03-’04 academic year. If you have ideas for places and topics, suggestions of cosponsors, or simply want to be on a mailing list for further information and announcements, please contact Sue McGuire, President of WAEE, at 307-734-5461 or srmcguire@earthlink.net. Everyone who attends the workshops or requests to be on a mailing list will receive the WAEE electronic newsletter free of charge.
| SUMMER 2003 GEOGRAPHY INSTITUTE |
Exploring New Habits: Spaces for Species and Places for People
The Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA) is pleased to sponsor a geography institute June 15-29, 2003. WGA is part of the alliance network of the National Geographic Society. This two-week institute will be located in Laramie and various other state locations. Scholarships are available to pay partial costs for K-12 teachers and pre-service teachers alike. Deadline for applying is May 16, 2003. Teacher consultants from other state alliances are highly encouraged to participate.
Some of the topics to be covered are: learning skills and techniques to investigate exploration; learning the components of ecosystems and habitats; looking at the different environments and viewpoints in WY; learning how to set up beneficial environmental lessons; and historical and geographical backgrounds of WY exploration.
For an application or further information please contact Sherry Tavegie at the Wyoming Geographic Alliance office, 307-766-3213 or email, wga@uwyo.edu.
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Workshop |
A GIS Workshop will be offered at Hot Springs County High School in Thermopolis May 1-2(first session) and June 6-7 (second session), from 8am-4pm each day. Listed as NASC 5770-66, 2 UW graduate credits are available. The instructors for this workshop are: Alan Buss-UW, Bill Gribb-UW, and Lydia Dambekalns-UW.
For more information or to register for this workshop, contact Anne Crocco at the UW Science and Mathematics Teaching Center: acrocco@uwyo.edu or 307-766-6381.
| "Geology of Your Local Area" |
Watch for an email alert about a “Geology of Your Local Area” weekend workshop taught by Jim McClurg coming up in Ten Sleep in May and in Ethete in June.
For more information or to register for this workshop, contact Anne Crocco at the UW Science and Mathematics Teaching Center at acrocco@uwyo.edu or 307-766-6381.