CDC Science Ambassador Program

Title – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Science Ambassador Program
Description – The Science Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for middle and high school science teachers to work with scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preservice science teachers from selected institutions and current middle and high school science teachers are invited to apply. In this program, teachers will travel to CDC to learn about a variety of different health topics including folic acid, birth defects genetics, Alzheimer’s disease, epidemiology, and surveillance. Participants will then work with CDC scientists to develop and publish public health science lesson plans that meet National Science Education Standards. These lesson plans will be used by teachers nationwide.
For an application or further information, please check out our website at

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/ScienceAmbassador.htm

Science Ambassador Program, NCBDDD, CDC

or contact the Science Ambassador Program by email at scienceambassador@cdc.gov or by phone at 404.498.4080.
Cost – All travel expenses are covered by CDC.
Deadline – Applications are due by March 1, 2006

K-12 Environmental Literacy

The Michigan State University College of Education has a NSF funded project and is looking for interested participants.  They are particularly looking for middle school teachers interested in water but all K-12 teachers interested in environmental literacy are welcome.

What is this project about?
In formal science education, environmental topics are often covered in a disconnected way. For instance, students may learn about water in separate life, earth, and physical science units. For students to be environmentally literate, they need to understand how interconnected systems support life on our planet. The purpose of this project is to identify and design effective K-12 curricular and teacher support materials for teaching about life, earth, and physical sciences in a connected way.

What would K-12 teachers do?
Teacher participation could mean as little as giving a pretest and posttest to students. MSU will supply answer keys highlighting big ideas and common misconceptions. These keys can help you assess your own students' environmental science understanding.

Other opportunities include
-Attending a fall and spring working group meeting (substitutes provided)
-Sharing materials you use with other working group members
-Working with the group to develop environmental science learning progressions for water, carbon cycle, or biodiversity

Teacher support includes substitutes for attendance of meetings, travel costs, and mini-grants for supplies and materials!

How can teachers join?
To join or learn more about this project, please contact:
Beth Covitt

bcovitt@msu.edu
517-432-4652.

Genome: The Secret of How Life Works

The Biotechnology Institute, with funding from the Pfizer Foundation, is conducting a one-day Teacher-Leader Professional Development Session in Cleveland, OH to accompany the traveling museum exhibit, Genome: The Secret of How Life Works funded by Pfizer, Inc.

genome.pfizer.com

They are seeking teachers and museum science educators to attend. The exhibit is presently at the HealthSpace Science Center in Cleveland. The one-day session will provide you with hands-on lab experience, the Genome edition of Your World magazine and accompanying teacher’s guide, draft copy of the Genome Teacher’s Resource Guide, a virtual tour of the exhibit online, time to visit the exhibit, bioethics session with a genetic counselor, lesson PowerPoints, certificate of participation, and much more!

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Lodging and travel costs are not included. Any teacher or museum educator who attends the one-day session will be requested to do an outreach session with a minimum duration of one half-day by June 2006. The approximate time commitment for this workshop is 2 days to prepare and implement the session and to complete the evaluation mechanisms. Teacher-Leaders who conduct an outreach workshop will receive a stipend and materials’ allowance.

The application is available at:

egroup_detail
http://www.biotechinstitute.org/events/egroup_detail.php?group_id=50
Applications are due by December 9, 2005.

For more information, please contact:
Kathy Frame

kframe@biotechinstitute.org
703.248.8681.

Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium

For the seventh year, the Mecosta-Osceola Math/Science Center will be hosting the:
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
at the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids on
April 28, 2006.

Any high school student in Michigan is welcome to participate in this all day program of math and science research presentations.  Applications, FAQ, and more are available at:
http://www.moisd.org/Gen_Ed/MSTC/MHSMSS/michigan_high_school_math_scienc.htm

michigan_high_school_math_scienc

MEECS Update

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Building a Presence announce 150 teacher workshops on the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS).  These workshops provide training for the five curriculum units of Air Quality, Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Energy Resources, Land Use, and Water Quality

Workshops are offered in a variety of teacher-friendly times and locations across Michigan.  The workshops are little to no cost and materials are provided FREE upon completion.

You can access the workshop brochure online at:
www.michigan.gov/deq-meecs
The website offers information on the workshop dates, times, and locations.  Please check for updates on the MEECS website, as more workshops are scheduled.  You are encouraged to attend any one or all five unit workshops.

Mentor Network of the American Society of Human Genetics

Have you ever thought that having a scientist come to your classroom to talk to your students about careers in research or medicine?  Or what about to help you teach a specific part of your curriculum?  Thought about it but didn't know how to go about finding one?  There is an answer- The Mentor Network of the American Society of Human Genetics and the Genetics Society of America.  Over 1,200 scientists, clinicians, and genetic counselors have come together to form a network of volunteers that are available to assist in genetics education in K-12 classrooms.  These scientists are eager to meet with your students to discuss topics ranging from careers to evolution!

There is a searchable database to assist you in finding a mentor in your area.  You can check out this website at: 

http://www.ashg.org/genetics/ashg/mentor/genednet-mentor.shtml

genednet-mentor

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact:
Keena Mills Shaw, PhD

kshaw@ashg.org

Research Experiences for Teachers

The following valuable information is about the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program offered at the National High Magnetic Field Lab in Tallahassee, FL.
RET is a 6 week summer program that begins June 12 2006 and offers teachers the opportunity to do cutting edge magnetic field research alongside scientist. The program pays $3600 and provides non-local residents with free travel and housing. Applications are available for online submission at http://ret.magnet.fsu.edu
Just click on "Applications" then "Application Online Submission". If you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact:
Jose A. Sanchez
Assistant Director, Center for Integrating Research & Learning
1800 E. Paul Dirac Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32310-3706

sanchez@magnet.fsu.edu
Phone: 850.645.0033