Professional Development &
Teacher Opportunities
CSTA provides the opportunity for organizations with professional
development opportunities for science teachers to post their
program information on the CSTA website, subject to CSTA approval.
If you would like to submit information to be included on
this site, please e-mail the webmaster.
Last updated: June 8, 2010
RAFT Resource Area for Teaching/Summer
Workshops for Educators
RAFT’s exciting Summer Workshops are being offered to educators
interested in giving their students exciting hands on learning
experiences in the math, science, technology, literacy and
art curriculums. RAFT provides a complete range of professional
development workshops to further support teachers’ work and
growth, as well as giving them the tools they need to implement
hands-on teaching in their day-to-day classroom endeavors.
RAFT instructors will show educators simple and engaging ways
to build 21st century thinking skills into the classroom experience
through creative thinking, brainstorming and brain-writing,
problem-solving, rapid prototyping and design challenge projects.
RAFT's vision is that all teachers inspire their students
with the joy and discovery of learning. RAFT wants educators
to transform the classroom environment into 21st century learning
environments through the use of RAFT's content, materials
and ideas. RAFT's innovative process for converting commonly
discarded business materials into "hands-on" classroom
activities supports teachers and preserves the environment.
For further information, visit www.raft.net
or email workshops@raft.net
or contact Workshops at 408-451-1421
June 15 - August 7, 2010
UCLA Extension: Global Sustainability Certificate Program
with Concentration in Education
This 36-unit program has been designed for those interested
in exploring the dynamic field of environmental sustainability,
those needing to stay up to date in their current position
or for individuals who want knowledge and skills to be better
global citizens. Encompassing the fields of architecture,
design, business, education, landscape architecture, law,
marketing, public policy, real estate, science, technology
and urban planning, this program will focus on major elements
that impact the environment on a daily basis such as our use
of water, air, land, energy and transportation.
In particular, this area of concentration will address the
roles of educators and administrators from pre-K to the university
level. Courses focus on incorporating environment-based curriculum
across academic disciplines, with an emphasis on the Education
and the Environment Initiative (EEI) curriculum, which will
be disseminated across California schools in mid-2010, as
well as on service learning and green schools. For more information
please visit: https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/ProgramDetails.aspx?reg=CF574.
Biomedicine Works
The Foundation for Blood Research (FBR) is recruiting 15
high school biology teachers to spend five days this summer
(11-16 July 2010) on the Maine seacoast to field test a piloted
BSCS-designed curriculum in their fall classrooms. This five-day
conference includes CEUs, all materials, lodging, and meals
at Southern Maine Community College, plus $200/day. Transportation
costs are not included. Interested? Contact Jeri Erickson,
project director, at ericks@fbr.org.
Teachers will be considered on first come, first served basis.
To view an FBR film, click on http://www.fbr.org/swksweb/biomed.html.
Sierra Nevada Teacher Institute: Climate Change and Field
Investigations
The California Institute for Biodiversity is partnering
with the California State Parks to offer this institute exploring
the causes and effects of climate change in the Sierra Nevada
landscape. The institute will take place at the Jack L. Boyd
Outdoor School (near Yosemite). Teachers will learn how climate
change has already affected the Sierra Nevada and how mitigation
might reduce that impact in the future. Two encore days are
now included to help teachers incorporate institute materials
into their curricula. This intensive course will integrate
California science content standards for 6th through 12th
grade and will accommodate teachers of upper-grade sciences
by concentrating on the more advanced topics of climate change
and experimental design. Teachers will receive a teacher manual,
an interactive CD-ROM, and other curricular materials. Housing
and meals are provided. Academic units are also available.
To learn more or to sign up, visit http://eurekaseries.org/main/node/103.
Institute Days: June 18-20 & June 25-27, 2010
Encore Days: February 5 & May 14, 2011 (Northern
California) OR
February 12 & May 21, 2011 (Southern California)
Online Education Degrees
Education degree.com includes over 20,000 teacher education
degree and certificate programs, offered by over 1,700 colleges
and school districts across the US, reviewed and compiled
by hand from the college and district websites. Visit http://www.educationdegree.com for links and information.
Foundational Level General Science/Math Credentials
The School of Education at Sonoma State University will offer
summer institutes for teachers who want to earn foundational
level teaching credentials in science or mathematics. The
general science teaching credential allows for teaching science
at the junior high school level or basic high school science
classes, but not college prep high school lab science classes.
Check with Sonoma State University at http://www.sonoma.edu/education/ for more information.
Wanted: Teacher to Sponsor for the Family Nature Summit
Family Nature Summits (a national environmental education
and outdoor program for families, founded by the National
Wildlife Federation) wants to sponsor a teacher educator from
California or Nevada to attend this summer’s 2010 Family Nature
Summit, July 5-11. Family Nature Summits
provide a week-long environmental learning experience for
all ages. Program offerings include hiking, fieldtrips to
area attractions, classes in art and photography, birding,
butterflies, orienteering, and presentations on various environmental
and nature topics. Many faculty members are nationally-renowned
in their respective fields. The full scholarship covers registration
fees ($575 per adult) and room and board ($675 per adult,
double occupancy) for the selected teacher and one guest.
The value of this package is approximately $2,500. Partial
scholarships may be available to cover registration fees for
the selected teacher and one guest, a value of approximately
$1,150. The scholarship winner will be expected to participate
in the full program for the entire week, and at the end of
the week to submit a written synopsis of the experience for
use in future educational and promotional materials. Scholarship
winners may also bring other family members at their own expense
and are encouraged to bring children. For more information,
contact Rosanne Mistretta at 215-266-5046 or info@familysummits.org.
See our website at www.familysummits.org
to learn more about the program.
Smithsonian Science Education
Academies for Teachers
Three summer academies, sponsored by the National Science
Resources Center, will provide special access for teachers
to the scientists, curators, and educators at the Smithsonian
museum and research complex. Each of the three Smithsonian
Science Education Academies is a week-long immersive science
experience, including content sessions to deepen your understanding
of key concepts, and behind-the-scenes access to Smithsonian
collections and cutting-edge science at world-class research
facilities. Three optional graduate-level credits are available
for each Academy. Most Smithsonian Science Education Academies
for Teachers sessions will be held at the museums and research
centers of the Smithsonian and other museums and laboratories
in or near Washington, D.C. Academies for 2010 are as follows:
Earth's History & Global Change: June 27–July 2, 2010
Biodiversity: July 11–16, 2010
Energy: Past, Present, & Future: July 25–30, 2010
Get early bird pricing if you register by May 14, 2010: Save
$100
Visit http://www.nsrconline.org/professional_development/SSEAT_overview.html
for more information and to register online.
ASM Materials Camp 2010
Held at CSU Long Beach, this one-week workshop will show
you how to use low cost/no cost simple labs and experiments
using everyday materials that can be integreated into your
existing lesson plans. For high school general science, chemistry,
physics, math, and technology teachers, and middle school
science teachers. FREE; program includes lunch and supplies.
Two semester or three quarter graduate credits area available
for an additional cost of $200. Apply online at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A2GLCBHFF;
for more information visit http://www.asmfoundation.org/,
or contact Jane Deatherage at jdeather@asminternational.org.
Full-day (8:00-5:00, 5-day workshop: July 5-9
Fieldwork Experiences with
The Museum of the Earth
Spend time in the field with scientists and fellow educators,
learning how to bring the field to the classroom through virtual
fieldwork experiences and using the newly created Teacher-Friendly
Guide to the Geology of the Western U.S. The workshop
will focus on actual field work, with discussions on how to
document a field site to bring your field experience back
to the classroom and on how to bring your students into the
field. Stipends and support for travel and lodging total $800
per participant. Teachers from Oregon, California, Washington,
Hawaii, and Alaska are invited to apply. The workshop will
be held at Southern Oregon University and Crater Lake National
Park in Ashland, Oregon. Apply soon at http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html.
Workshop dates: July 14-16, 2010
Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers on Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology
Learn about nanoscience and nanotechnology in simple terms
• Develop and receive hands-on activities targeting California
state science content standards • Interact with scientists
at Stanford University • Gain hands-on experience in research
labs • Receive a $650 stipend and professional development
units. For more information and to apply online by
May 1st, please visit http://simst.stanford.edu.
July 19-23, 2010, Stanford University
Center for Innovative Teaching
Summer 2010 Professional Development Workshops for Middle
and High School Educators and Educational Leaders. CIT offers
workshops for educators in key academic, co-curricular and
leadership areas, plus an iIntegrated Technology Symposium
for school leaders and educational technologists. CIT workshops
are hands-on and designed to share classroom-tested activities
and approaches that will enhance the academic and leadership
program at any middle and high school. The Tech Symposium
is ideal for anyone who seeks broad, cross-discipline exposure
to best practices in technology integration. Educators from
other 1:1 schools or institutions considering a laptop environment
will benefit greatly and all the information will be immediately
applicable to grades 6-12 technology programs. Early registration
and same-school discounts available. Continuing education
credits are also available through the University of Southern
California Rossier School of Education. For more information
and a complete list of workshops, please visit www.centerforinnovativeteaching.org.
Questions? Please email info@
centerforinnovativeteaching.org.
Location and Dates: San Francisco, CA, July 19 -
29, 2010.
Sierra Nevada Teacher Workshop:
Field Journaling
Join the California Institute for Biodiversity, exploring
the Sierra Nevada landscape in the Yosemite region while learning
to incorporate field journaling and corresponding language
arts exercises in your intermediate science classroom. The
institute takes place at the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School (Fish
Camp, CA) and from there investigates the Sierra Nevada with
a strong content focus on improving observation skills, asking
scientific questions, and exploring the natural world through
field journaling. Working with the California State Parks
and naturalist and illustrator John Muir (Jack) Laws (California
Academy of Sciences) on this professional development institute,
teachers will learn the difference between drawing a pretty
picture and using sketching as a scientific tool to help record
observations. The journaling activities, which include a matrix
for grading, will serve as an excellent route to conducting
scientific investigations of these incredible ecosystems.
The intensive course will integrate California science, social
science, and language arts content standards for 4th through
8th grade. Teachers will conduct local field investigations,
receive a teacher manual, and The Laws Field Guide to
the Sierra Nevada. Housing and meals are provided. Academic
units are also available. Visit http://eurekaseries.org/main/node/105
for more information or to sign up.
Date: July 23-25, 2010
2010 Summer Institute for Teachers
in Design-Based Learning: Empowering educators and preparing
students for a changing world.
The Summer Institute for Teachers is an intensive five-day
interactive workshop based on a proven and award-winning methodology
called Design-Based Learning. Design-Based Learning taps students’
natural creativity to develop higher-level thinking and enhance
comprehension of the K-12 curriculum. No matter what grade
level or subject you teach, supplementing your current methods
with Design-Based Learning can make a dramatic difference
in your classroom. This course is worth four semester units
of credit and is open to K-12 educators, principals, administrators,
college instructors and after-school program directors and
staff. Scholarships available. For more information, please
visit www.artcenter.edu/teachers or contact Paula Goodman,
Director K-12 Programs: t: 626.396.2347 e: paula.goodman@artcenter.edu.
Dates: July 28-30 & August 2-3, 2010
SETIcon: Our Search for Life
in the Universe in Science Fact and Science Fiction
SETIcon features: • Noted scientists explaining new
developments in everyday language • Stars of science
fiction TV series and movies, plus the advisors who helped
with the science • Panels to air controversial issues
and share perspectives • Special sessions where you
can ask questions of your favorite guests in a smaller setting
• A family room with hands-on activities (for kids 12
and older). Cost: $20 per day or $35 for a weekend pass. See
website for discounts and packages; go to http://www.seticon.com
for more information and tickets.
August 13 - 15, 2010, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Santa Clara
Opportunity to Participate in STAR Test Scoring
Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the California Department
of Education seek knowledgeable, current California life science
teachers to participate in a standard-setting workshop. A
standard setting determines the cut scores for assigning performance
levels to test takers (i.e., advanced, proficient, basic,
below basic, and far below basic). Participants will review
test forms and test data to recommend the cut scores. The
California Modified Assessment (CMA) is part of the California
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program and is developed
for and administered to students with disabilities attending
California public schools in grades three through eleven.
Teachers with the following expertise are needed: • high school
life sciences/biology teachers • university professors with
high school teaching experience • special education teachers.
All expenses for attending this workshop are covered by ETS.
This includes reimbursing your district for the cost of a
substitute teacher. Apply now at www.startest.org/cma.
Questions? Contact Dan Stanley: 916-403-2428 dstanley@ets.org.
Workshop scheduled for August 18-20, 2010.
The Exploratorium Teacher Institute
Program For New Science Teachers
The Exploratorium Teacher Institute invites you to join
teachers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area who are part
of an innovative, exciting, inquiry-based, content-rich professional
development program. For over twenty-five years, the Teacher
Institute has offered summer institutes, Saturday and after
school workshops, and other opportunities to secondary math
and science teachers. In Fall 2010, our New Science Teacher
Program will be in its thirteenth year. Applications are due
July 31, 2010 for the Fall 2010 program. For more information
and to apply visit: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti/newteacher.html.
Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry
Fundamentals of Inquiry: October 25-29, 2010 and
Assessing for Learning: February 7-10, 2011. From
the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Workshops are designed
for educators with professional development roles
such as:
• Science Specialists
• Curriculum Coordinators
• Teachers on Special Assignment
• Lead Teachers
• Administrators
• Museum Educators
• University Faculty
• Scientists
Though the primary audience is educators who work with elementary
classroom teachers, workshop materials and activities can
be easily adapted for other audiences, such as middle and
high school teachers or preservice educators.
Download
a brochure or visit http://www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/workshops/attend/index.html
for more information.
Nominate a Distinguished Teacher
TEACH California seeks great science, math, and special ed.
teachers to feature on their “Distinguished Teachers” website.
Featuring vignettes of California teachers, the site honors
the thousands of great teachers in the state and allows them
to share their thoughts on teaching. Requirements of the nominated
teachers are: 1. they are GREAT teachers; 2. they are fully
credentialed; and 3. they teach special education, mathematics,
or science (the highest shortage areas). Get more information
and find out how to nominate someone at http://www.teachcalifornia.org/.
National Middle Level Science Teachers Association
The NMLSTA, an affiliate organization of NSTA, focuses on
providing quality programming for middle school teachers.
Teachers who join the organization at the low cost of $15
receive a $25 gift certificate towards Frey Scientific, School
Specialty, or Science Kit. Visit http://nmlsta.org
for membership information.
Participate in a Study of 8th
Grade Science Assessment Practices
Researchers at UCLA, Stanford, and the RAND Corporation invite
California 8th grade science teachers to participate in a
study of assessment practices. We are offering each teacher
a $400 stipend for approximately 10 hours of work. During
the 2009-2010 school year, we will ask teachers to collect
and briefly annotate four weeks worth of classroom assessments
from one science class; fill out a survey of assessment practices;
and administer a short survey to students in their class.
Teachers interested in participating in our study should send
a short e-mail to Principal Investigators Felipe Martinez
at jfmtz@ucla.edu
and Hilda Borko at hildab@suse.stanford.edu.
Participate in a NOAA Survey
Do you currently (or have you previously) used live plants
or animals in classroom teaching? Would you like to win a
preserved specimen kit for your classroom? Oregon State University
is leading an international research project funded by the
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration looking at learning
opportunities related to the use of live plants and animals
in classrooms and education on invasive species. The goal
is not to limit the use of live plants and animals;
rather information gathered from this study will help in the
development of appropriate educational materials and other
solutions that will help prevent the establishment of invasive
species in the environment. By completing this 10-15 minute
survey, you will be helping in the development of educational
tools on the use and care of live plants and animals, raising
awareness about invasive species, and helping prevent their
spread. Your responses will be completely confidential. Participating
teachers will have the opportunity to pilot new learning materials
and participate in additional training and professional development
on invasive species. Also, you can enter a drawing for an
invasive species educational kit for your classroom! Please
tak the survey at : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xAog62nFNIRrQ4uDwxQ2kQ_3d_3d.
For more information, contact Susan Zaleski at 213-740-8602
or szaleski@usc.edu.
Biology Teachers Needed to
Lead Field Experiences
Since 1990, Save The Rainforest (STR ) has been sending groups
of high school and middle school students to the rainforest
reserves it helped create with donations from school children.
Many of the biology teachers who have led these groups are
retiring, and STR is looking for a new generation of biology
teachers to take their students on field courses to the Galapagos,
Amazon, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama and Mexico. For more information
contact Bruce Calhoun at (608) 729- 4877 or saverfn@cybermesa.com,
or view STR's website at www.saverfn.org.
STR is a non-profit organization.
Seminars on Science: Online
Graduate Courses for Educators American Museum of Natural
History
Seminars on Science offers online graduate courses in the
life, earth, and physical sciences to educators throughout
the country and abroad. Designed by the Museum specifically
for K-12 educators, each six-week course immerses the learner
in an area of contemporary research. Educators come away with
a deeper understanding of both the science and the tools of
scientific inquiry as well as an array of classroom resources.
Courses are co-taught and led by Museum scientists and educators
and feature rich web-based discussions. Each course is available
for up to 4 graduate credits from leading institutions. Courses
offered by the program include Evolution; The Solar System;
Earth: Inside and Out; The Ocean System; Genetics, Genomics,
Genethics and more. For more information on courses or to
register, go to http://learn.amnh.org/welcome.php?w=CASTA.
Science In Action Courses from
the University of Nebraska
Science in Action courses are online courses that integrate
the application of content and pedagogy in the biological,
physical, and earth sciences. These courses are designed to
meet the needs of K-12 educators who want to improve their
content knowledge and ability to teach science. Course curricula
align with state and national science standards. Available
courses are Entomology, Natural Resources, Biotechnology,
and Food Science and Technology. For more information, contact
Cindy Larson-Miller at (402) 730-9691 or clarson@unlserve.unl.edu
Smithsonian Science Education
Academies for Teachers
The National Science Resources Center is proud to announce
the fifth year of its Smithsonian Science Education for Teachers
(SSEAT) program. This summer, two new events have been added
to the program, one for teachers of earth science and one
for teachers of physical science. Click on the image to see
more about the academy which interests you. Register online
to join other teachers, and earn graduate credits at these
exciting Smithsonian-based experiences. More information at
http://www.scienceteachersacademies.si.edu/.
National Science Resources
Center’s Professional Development Center
The National Science Resources Center's Professional Development
Center cordially invites you to take part in one or more unique
and exciting professional development opportunities—the Smithsonian
Science Education Academies for Teachers. Deepen your knowledge
of life and/or physical science; gain special access to the
scientists, curators, and educators of the Smithsonian Institution
and other museums and research institutions; learn about the
unparalleled resources available to teachers through the Smithsonian,
earn three graduate credits from Montclair State University,
New Jersey; inspire your students to greater understanding
of how the world works. For more information visit http://www.nsrconline.org/professional_development/index.html.
University of Michigan and Northwestern University
As part of an NSF-funded research study, the University of
Michigan and Northwestern University are offering free professional
development to teachers who purchase It's About Time's
Investigations in Environmental Science, a year-long,
case-based environmental science curriculum. Teachers will
receive 48 hours of free professional development along with
a $1,500 stipend upon completion of the study. To learn more
about the curriculum or to apply for the study, visit http://www.worldwatcher.northwestern.edu
or contact Beth Kubitskey at kubitske@umich.edu.
Coast Alive! Teacher Institute
at Monterey
Explore the Elkhorn Slough and nearby beaches while learning
to incorporate stimulating, inquiry based, and multimedia
curriculum in your middle or high school science classroom.
The focus on experimental design will help you develop a hypothesis
and conduct research in the best possible setting--the field!
Return with students to design and conduct field studies.
You will participate in hands-on local field investigations,
receive a free Coast Alive!—Land-Sea Interface CD-ROM,
use Coast Alive! materials, and earn a $500 stipend from California
State Parks and the California Institute for Biodiversity.
Enrollment will fill before the end of the school year. For
upper elementary and middle school educators; 6 CSUMB academic
quarter units. Registration fee without credit: $50. For details
and to apply, visit http://www.EurekaSeries.org.
Council for Elementary Science
International
The Council for Elementary Science International (CESI) invites
teachers to join the effort to improve science teaching. CESI
has a website that provides members access to a variety of
elementary science opportunities, including fellowships, grants,
and science activities (from past Make-It and Take-It programs
held at regional and national NSTA conventions). Newsletters
and the CESI Journal are additional benefits that teachers
will receive when choosing to join the organization. Memberships
can be completed at the web site on-line at http://www.cesiscience.org/.
Questions regarding membership and the CESI organization can
be emailed to sumrall@olemiss.edu. |
