Professional Development
Professional Development at the Science Museum
The Science Museum of Minnesota is a leader in continuing educators for the educators of our region. Find out the ways in which you can expand the classroom science experience for students of all ages. Learn More
Empowering Education
GenevaLogic creates active teaching systems for educators who teach with technology. The focus is developing tools that empower teachers in the classroom and help schools and districts make the most of their investments in educational technology. With Vision classroom management software, the teacher has complete control over student computers from an easy-to-use console that shows each student's screen. Demonstrate lessons directly on student computer screens, supervise computer use, monitor online activity and lock keyboards and mice during lessons to focus student attention. Help any student through a tough problem directly from the teacher's desk or take control of the student's computer to demonstrate a solution. Learn more about this program by clicking on the "Products" link on the website.
Science Friday Kids' Connection
Science Friday Kids' Connection (SFKC) is designed to help teachers and students in grades 6-8 make the best possible use of National Public Radio's weekly program, Talk of the Nation: Science Friday. Free content is posted weekly on the website, with real-world connections and activities linked to academic content standards. A manual is available to help make the best possible use of SFKC. The site contains segments on everything from backyard bacteria, insects, and hearing in dolphins, to bats, robots, and science fiction. Students can search archived material on nearly any subject related to science and technology, and teachers can review the content in light of appropriate McREL standards derived from Midcontinent Research for Education and Learning. SFKC is sponsored by KIDSNET, a national non-profit computerized clearinghouse and information center devoted to children's television, radio, audio, video and multimedia.
Math courses online
Converse College, a nationally accredited institution of higher education, offers eight graduate online mathematics courses. These courses are intended for middle and secondary teachers or for those seeking certification. The mathematics content presented is consistent with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. Each course awards three graduate semester credits (500 level or higher) from the Converse Mathematics Department. These are not educational methods courses. DVDs are provided for each course. The Practice Sets, Quizzes and the Final Exam are administered online. Participants may register at any time, work at their own pace, and take up to nine months to complete course requirements. These distance learning math courses may be taken concurrently and transcripts are available once a course is completed. Learn more about the courses and costs on the Converse College website.
Year of Science 2009
The Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) is a grassroots effort to engage the public in science to increase their understanding of the nature of science and its value to society. A key objective of COPUS is to create new forums for communication and to develop new opportunities for engaging the public with science throughout 2009. Several scientific societies are involved including the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The year coincides with a number of important science-related anniversaries including the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Among his other claims to fame, Lincoln founded the National Academy of Sciences and signed the Morrill Act which created the land grant system of agricultural colleges. Learn more about the Year of Science 2009, register, or access the newsletter on the COPUS website.
Grants for School and Youth Gardens
The National Gardening Association (NGA) works with sponsoring companies and organizations to provide in-kind grants to projects that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for their communities. To be eligible for these awards your school or organization must plan to garden with at least fifteen kids between the ages of three and eighteen. All grant winners must complete a year-end report (see individual grants for details). Kidsgardening.org includes information on a number of different grant programs; the 2008 Hooked on Hydroponics Award deadline is September 15. To stay informed of grant and award program announcements and deadlines, sign up for the free NGA's e-newsletters.
Science and Technology Studies
Science and Technology Studies (STS) is a growing field of study in the United States and around the world which seeks to understand how science and technology shape human lives and how society and culture, in turn, shape the development of science and technology. From the automobile to the internet, and from cloning to the Earth's climate, modern life is intimately entwined with advances in science and technology. Every social issue, from AIDS and economic growth to arms control and crime, entails important scientific and technological aspects. This fall the STS program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison will offer a Science & the Public Series titled Climate Change is Global on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19, 2008, at 7:00 PM both evenings. Details will be available soon on the University of Wisconsin STS website.
Importance of professional development
Teachers and researchers devise strategies that enable teachers to continually mature in their craft. Researchers at the National Center for Improving Student Learning and Achievement in Mathematics and Science (NCISLA) have also been evaluating the effect of long-term professional development on teachers' practice, emerging professional communities, and student learning. One critical finding from this work is that teachers require substantive, long-term professional development about both student thinking and subject matter. NCISLA has developed an intensive, nationally coordinated research program—in collaboration with teachers—to advance effective reform of K-12 mathematics and science. Learn more about this program on their website.
International education and resource network
Integrate iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) collaborative projects into the classroom with and online professional development course. Each course begins with an online orientation followed by seven weeks of course-specific activities designed to guide you through the process of project and technology integration. At the end of the course teachers will have begun work with their students on a collaborative project. Teachers can expect to commit four to five hours a week for a course. Participants who successfully complete all the course requirements will receive a certificate from iEARN-USA with recognition as an iEARN Master Teacher. Professional credit and CEUs are available. The cost per course is $600 but scholarships are available. Classes are limited to twenty-five participants.
Sally Ride symposium
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is partnering with Sally Ride Science, a science content company dedicated to supporting girls' and boys' interests in science, math, and technology, to present a symposium for middle school and high school educators (grades 6-9) on science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) careers. This event is a blended professional development opportunity including a face-to-face symposium at the Area Conference on Science Education, to be held in Portland, Oregon, followed by two NSTA web seminars and a discussion listserv to extend the interactions between the participants and Sally Ride Science staff. Attendance at the symposium requires conference registration. The symposium will be held Thursday, November 20, 2008, from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Oregon Convention Center, in Portland. The cost for admission to the symposium is $47 (advance registration through October 24) or $54 through the start of the symposium. Register online on the NSTA website, or find details area on the NSTA Learning Center website.
Science Scope
Science Scope is a peer-reviewed journal for middle and junior high school science teachers. The current issue, for example, features systems that rely on their parts; even the most powerful systems will grind to a halt if you know what piece to remove. At the same time, systems are often much more than the sum of their parts. Encourage a systems-view of the world in your students with the helpful strategies in this issue. The publisher is the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Check their website to see the table of contents of the current issue and learn more about the journal.
Geology on DVD
Earth Revealed, a video instructional series on geology for high school classrooms, college, and adult learners, consists of twenty-six half-hour video programs and coordinated books. This series can be used as a resource for teacher professional development. The series shows the physical processes and human activities that shape our planet. From earthquakes and volcanoes to the creation of sea-floor crusts and shifting river courses, Earth Revealed offers stunning visuals that explain plate tectonics and other geologic concepts and principles. Follow geologists in the field as they explore the primal forces of the Earth. DVDs can be previewed free. For a list of topics and costs go to Learner.org website.
Hands-on plant investigations
PlantingScience is a learning and research resource bringing together students, plant scientists, and teachers from across the nation. Students engage in hands-on plant investigations, working with peers and scientist mentors to build collaborations and improve their understanding of science. Registration is open for the fall session; the website includes information for teachers and students.
Forensic Science Educational Conference
The Forensic Science Educational Conference will be held on the campus of Michigan State University August 4-7, 2008. The four-day conference is designed to provide instruction to secondary science teachers on the use of the scientific method in the investigation of crime. Each day will include lectures and hands-on workshops led by specialists in various fields to introduce teachers to experiments and exercises. There will also be sessions on best practices recommended by master teachers, as well as a session on how to set up a mock crime scene. Registration is limited; the cost is $330. More information is available on the American Academy of Forensic Sciences website.
Seminars in science
The American Museum of Natural History offers award-winning online courses in the life, earth, and physical sciences. Gain access to cutting-edge research and world-class scientists while earning graduate and P-credit. Register by August 18 for the September 1 - October 12 session; by October 6 for the October 20 - November 30 sessions; and by January 12 for the January 26 - March 8, 2009 session. There is a $50 discount for early registration; download the course catalogue from the website.
KSTF Teaching Fellowships
In the United States, approximately half of all secondary teachers leave the teaching profession within five years. Research indicates that some key challenges facing beginning teachers are a sense of professional isolation and a lack of support and mentoring. The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) Teaching Fellowship program was designed to meet the needs of high school science and mathematics teachers through the early years of their careers. The fellowship supports them professionally and financially for up to five years through eligibility for tenure. The deadline for application for these fellowships is January 14, 2009. Learn more about the program on the Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles Foundation website.
Grants for projects led by women
The Open Meadows Foundation is a grant-making organization for projects that are led by and benefit women and girls. It offers grants up to $2,000 for projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls, that reflect the diversity of the community served, and promote building community power and racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The organizational budget for the project should not exceed $150,000. Find more information on the website, or email questions or comments to openmeadows@igc.org, or call 718-885-0969. The deadline for application is August 15, 2008.
e-Mentoring for Student Success
E-Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS) supports and extends mentoring for beginning science teachers, anytime and anywhere through flexible and accessible technology that is easy to learn and use. The eMSS network is designed to promote professional development through dialogue. The network includes: online mentoring for beginning science teachers by trained mentors who teach the same discipline, online curriculum that focuses on science content and pedagogy, access to scientists to deepen understanding, and leadership training. The program begins with an online orientation in August and September to learn about the program and site navigation. Learn more on the website.
Hands-On Chemistry Workshop
Vernier Software and Technology and Flinn Scientific will co-host three AP (Advanced Placement) Chemistry hands-on technology workshops for high school classes. During these two-day summer workshops, teachers will do many of the twenty-two experiments recommended by The College Board. These experiments will center on Vernier and Flinn equipment, supplies, and kits, and are from the Vernier-Flinn lab book, Advanced Chemistry with Vernier; the $149 registration fee includes a copy of this text. Earn two (quarter) Graduate Science credit hours through the Portland State University Center for Science Education. The two sessions are July 23-24 in Illinois, and August 13-14, 2008, in California. Information is available on the Vernier website.
Become a road scholar
Road Scholar, a division of Elderhostel, is a not-for-profit organization that offers educational travel adventures for a new generation of lifelong learners. Road Scholar offers experiential, rather than classroom learning, and nontourist-oriented experiences that would be difficult to arrange on your own. Each program has been created for those who view travel as a means for discovery and a journey toward lifelong learning. Participants benefit from the local knowledge of resident experts and through hands-on activities. Road Scholar Educator of the Year Awards are given to active teachers, principals, superintendents, school nurses, school librarians, and guidance counselors with at least fifteen years of experience in K-12 education. Awards of $7,000, $2,000, and $1,000 are given to winners. Apply before August 1, 2008. Visit the website to learn more about this program and awards or to get a catalog.
Ecological Literacy and Research Day
On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, there will be a High School Educators' Ecological Literacy and Research Day held during the Ecological Society of America's (ESA) 93rd Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ESA Educator Literacy and Research Day focuses on how high school educators can integrate ecological literacy and research into their teaching practice. This day-long event begins with an orientation to ESA, a symposium on Ecological Literacy for All followed by a discussion, a plenary session on Advances in Research and Training Biology Teachers in Ecological Research, and a hands-on workshop. A talk on Population Halved as Invasive Mussels Rule will be presented by Dr. Russell Cuhel, a microbiologist from the UWM-Great Lakes Water Institute, to explore how to use ecological issues to do research in the classroom. A full complement of papers in ecology and education are presented in afternoon poster sessions ending with a wrap up discussion. For more details and to register, go to the ESA website.
Archaeology Adventures
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center provides a weeklong course for teachers to provide professional development that is both intellectually stimulating and relevant in the classroom. Archaeology of the American Southwest gives educators an opportunity to learn the science of archaeology and further their knowledge of ancestral Pueblo Indian (Anasazi) history. The course also provides educators ideas and materials to develop a unit on archaeology. Participants are introduced to the tools and techniques of archaeology and the fundamentals of Pueblo Indian history, share lesson plans, do laboratory analysis, and identify artifacts. Excavation at one of several Pueblo Indian sites is featured as well as a field trip to Mesa Verde National Park. The session is held in Cortez, Colorado from Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2008. Tuition is $1,275 and covers accommodations, meals, entry fees and permits, and local transportation. The deadline for application is July 27, 2008. More information is available on the website.
Lions and bears at the Bell Museum
Exhibits on lions and bears are featured through September 7, 2008, at the Bell Museum of Natural History. The exhibits include The Lion's Mane (Science in the Serengeti) explains the purpose of the lion's mane and its role in attracting a mate. The Hidden World of Bears with photography of Lynn Rogers features the lives of bears including food habits, maternal care, and social behavior. The Bell Museum is located on the University of Minnesota campus at the corner of University Avenue and 17th Street, Minneapolis. Check out the website for details about exhibits, parking, and directions.
Bioscience workshops
The Coastal Marine Biolab (CMB) teacher development program aims to train educators to use sophisticated scientific methodologies and technologies, and assist teachers in developing new science-based educational opportunities for their students. The two-day career workshops for K-12 teachers include Neurolab, Symbiosis, and Bioluminescence. Teaching materials include practical guides with objectives, materials, procedures, adaptations, discussion questions, evaluations, extensions, readings, web resources, and lesson plans. Teachers should contact staff to arrange workshop dates that fit their schedules; workshops are limited to 12-14 participants. Tuition is $300. Contact information and other details can be found on the website.
Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers
Four courses will be offered by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC): Energy and Motion and Biodiversity, on July 6-11, and Ecological Field Studies and Electricity and Magnetism, on July 20-25, 2008. These Academy sessions will be held at the museums and research centers of the Smithsonian and other museums, laboratories, and facilities in or near Washington, D.C. Each of the four Academies is unique in both the approach and science specific content. More information and descriptions of the individual Academies can be found on the online catalog on the NSRC website. Three graduate credits are available for each of the Academies. Register online or the form at the back of the catalog and return it by mail or fax to the NSRC, or contact the Professional Development Center directly at (202) 633-2970.
Summer courses in Montana
The Department of Intercollege Programs for Science Education at Montana State University offers unique courses in biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology, education, environmental science, land resources, microbiology, physics, and plant sciences designed for middle and high school science teachers. Campus field and lab courses offer opportunities to integrate learning experiences in the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Courses may be taken for professional development or to earn a graduate degree. The Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) Degree Program is sponsored by the Colleges of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Development, Letters and Science, and Division of Graduate Education at Montana State University—sometimes called the University of the Yellowstone. Courses can be taken online or on site. Check out the website for more information.
Summer Workshop Series in Virginia
Spend a week of your summer in historic Richmond experiencing the city's rich history and culture. Gain new knowledge and get instructional ideas to capture your students' interest... all while earning graduate credit at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. The one-week workshops are designed especially for teachers. Tuition for each workshop will be $525. Each workshop also has a program fee of $125; this fee provides the essentials for classroom activities and daily lunch. Classes are held in late June and July, 2008; details on the website.
Effective science lessons
The Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning offers a series of four workshops on designing effective science lessons. Geared for K-12 science teachers, the sessions are held in Denver, Colorado on July 7-11. The registration fee is $1,000; Continuing Education Units can be earned. If interested, contact Mary Cullen at 303-632-5547, or check out the web site for further information.
The Infinity Project
The Infinity Project is a national award winning high school and early college math- and science-based engineering and technology education initiative. The goal is to help educators deliver the most engineering exposure with the least training, expense, and time. The project was created to help students see the value of math and science and its applications to high tech engineering. Components of the program include the curriculum, a classroom technology kit, and professional development. Admission to The Infinity Project is competitive and there are a limited number of slots for schools and teachers. Applications are being considered now for the 2008-2009 academic year. Learn more about the program and apply on the website.
Science programs in Hawaii
The Edge of Kauai offers two main programs in Hawaii this summer. One is on "The Science of Ecosystems" held on Kauai, and the second is "Geoscience on the Big Island" held on Hawaii. A series of lectures on background information precedes the field trips where "hands-on" experiences take place: a stroll through the forest; a walk on the beach; and snorkeling for corals, fish, and turtles. The state of Hawaii includes 132 islands, reefs, and corals among the eight main islands. The fee for these courses is $1150 and the deadline for application is July 7, 2008. Get more information and register online on the website.
Vernier summer workshops
Learn to integrate data-collection technology into a chemistry, biology, physics, math, middle school science, physical science, and Earth science curriculum in a one-day training class. There will be opportunities to collect data on LabQuest handhelds and TI graphing calculators. These six-hour, hands-on workshops include lab handouts and lunch; the cost of the workshop is $99. Training packages, including equipment, can be added and the supplies will be sent to your school or your home. A schedule for the summer (June 11-August 11, 2008) and a list of locations are available on the Vernier website. Two of the workshops are full but a waiting list is available.
The Earth is our classroom
The Learnig Net is holding a Signs of a Changing Planet Summer Institute for educators July 6-12, 2008, in Boulder, Colorado. Experts from the Geological Society of America, NOAA, National Geographic Society, and others will be experts for the workshop. Learn how to become a carbon tracker, experience an "EarthCache," visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and more. The registration fee is $375 which covers transportation and supplies during the workshop, but not the hotel accommodations. To register, e-mail Barbara at thenetbarbara@aol.com, or visit the National Geographic EdNet website.
Online short course on Force and Motion
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is offering an online short course titled Force and Motion for teachers of grades 3-9. Starting July 10, 2008, it will continue for five consecutive Thursdays from 8 AM - 9:30 AM Eastern time. Participants work on their own time with self-paced materials. Two graduate credits can be earned from the University of Idaho. For details, fees, and to register, go to The NSTA Learning Center website.
ExploraDome plans for fall
The Minnesota Planetarium Society is taking reservations for its fall showing at the ExploraDome. Schools can save 20% by booking a tour now at the ExploraDome for this September or October, 2008. Find more information and register on the website, or contact Sally Brummel, sally@mplanetarium.org.
Teacher Workshop in Maine
If you want to integrate field research activities into your classroom curricula, there is an opportunity for middle-level education opportunities in Acadia National Park at Schoodic Point, Winter Harbor, Maine, on June 25–26, July 8–9, August 11–12, or October 14–15, 2008. It is open to all grade 4–8 teachers. Join in two- and three-day workshops to investigate opportunities to collect field data, apply it to classroom lessons across the curricula, and connect it to real-world applications in America’s national parks. The workshop fee of $225 covers meals, lodging, and supplies. Stipends and workshop scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, go to the National Park Service website.
New online magazine for K-5 teachers
Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears is the title of a new online magazine written for elementary educators. The goal of the magazine is to help teachers develop their own content knowledge about the polar regions and use best practices in integrating polar science with literacy skills. The twenty issues have themes and reflect science topics commonly found in the elementary curriculum. Learn more about this magazine and its accessibility on the website.
Ideas for K-3 lesson plans
The BrainPOP Jr. website provides educational movies and homework help for K-3 students. Each animated movie has quizzes, games, vocabulary, and activities for kids. BrainPOP Jr. is a great resource for teachers and home schools, offering lesson plans and lesson ideas that develop critical thinking and inquiry skills. There is a list of twenty ideas for science, thirteen for health, and thirteen for math. You ca learn how to incorporate these ideas into lesson plans on the website.
Digital Wish grants
Create a lesson plan and qualify to win a mobile digital camera lab in addition to as many as forty-three grants for hardware and software. Access the Digital Wish website to get ideas for integrating digital technology into the classroom, then register and enter a lesson plan to qualify for the awards. The grants will be awarded on the 28th of every calendar month.