Math, Science and Technology

Living Environment Institute:  An Environmental Education, Multi-disciplinary Workshop for Teachers

Theme: Environmental Literacy - Reading and Science Come Alive!

The Living Environment Institute is an exciting, hands-on workshop involving both field study and classroom activities. Learn how to use environmental topics in an interdisciplinary way to meet state standards. Content will cover the Living Environment Core Curriculum and other standard areas.

Open to all teachers and youth leaders; especially recommended for those who teach grades 3-9.

Presentations by authors will complement classroom activities and outdoor field studies by biologists.

 

• Author Bruce Hiscock shares his story of Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl followed by a presentation on owl activities for the classroom.  A live owl will be our model for a drawing lesson.
• Nancy Castaldo will discuss her well-researched book and star-gazing opportunities in the Capital District.
• Lyn Miller-Lachmann tackles some serious environmental issues and some ways to discuss these tough issues with students.
• and more.....

 

Location:  Five Rivers Center, Delmar, NY

Date(s)/Time(s): August TBA 2011 ; 9:30am – 3:00pm

Fee: $40, Call to register: (518) 475 0291

or Print and mail registration form found online at:

www.dec.ny.gov/education/2033.html

Information at 518-475-0291; 5rivers@gw.dec.state.ny.us

 

Games in Education Symposium

SAVE THE DATES!

The fifth annual Games in Education Symposium is scheduled for August TBD 2011.

The Fifth Annual Symposium on the Use of Video Games as Teaching Tools is presented by 1st Playable Productions, WMHT & Hudson Valley Community College. Details are being finalized. Join the email list to get the latest information. Sign up here www.gamesineducation.org

 

Ongoing Opportunities:

 

New York State Teacher Centers -
Your Link to Technology Resources

The Statewide Teacher Centers maintain many highly regarded technology initiatives that partner with other public and private providers to facilitate teachers' integration of the most current and powerful technology tools for the classroom.

Visit Public-Private Partnerships that Succeed for a sampling of program initiatives. Contact us at the teacher center, sara@teachercenter.org or vickie@teachercenter.org for programs specific to our region.

 

New York Model Schools Program

The mission of the New York State Model Schools Consortium is to leverage technology to transform education to improve the learning and lives of students.
Goals
*Enhance communication among BOCES/RICS and the State Education Department by sharing information and resources with each other and local school districts
*Support learning through quality curriculum, staff and organizational development
*Collaborate with the State Education Department in planning and implementing technology integration through curriculum, instruction and assessment
*Provide professional development leadership
Professional Development Opportunities
Model Schools Consultants provide professional development through webinars, face-to-face workshops and on-line training. To view the recent offerings and register for a workshop, visit our website: https://www.questar.org/ModelSchools/default.htm
Contact the Model Schools Coordinator to suggest a workshop that is not currently offered.

 

https://www.questar.org/modelschools/

 

Wildlife Conservation Society

Join the WCS for their newest Online Learning Experience.

Wildlife Conservation Society Webinars are a unique opportunity to learn more about animals and the science of studying wildlife.   As a participant, you will learn about WCS field research and conservation work as you listen to conservation stories from our field researchers.

Appropriate for ANYONE interested in learning more about wildlife and conservation, WCS Webinars are FREE and easily accessible through our E-Learning Portal (www.pd.wcs.org).  WCS Webinars also include an additional element specific to educators wishing to learn more about how to bring these engaging projects to students.

 

Energy Smart Programs from NYSERDA

The Energy Smart Students Program offers workshops for classroom teachers, community educators, and pre-service teachers - in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability. Teachers in attendance receive hands-on instruction and leave with lesson plans, posters, and instructional materials correlated to the NYS Learning Standards.

 

Many of our programs provide six hours of staff development, but abbreviated, 3.5 hour programs are available. We can even do two-part workshops after school.  Many of these programs would be a great fit for a professional development day. This year, we have also introduced an exciting, new 2.5 hour Sustainable Living workshop.

We set up these workshops in various locations - schools, libraries, nature preserves, museums, zoos. Once the program has been scheduled, we will provide the educator and all the materials necessary to deliver the event at your location.

 

Key points:

No-cost workshops, delivered by a professional trainers

Free curriculum, posters, and student-centered materials correlated to the NYS Learning Standards. Substitute stipend for workshops taking place on a school day

Lunch provided for our six-hour workshops

 

Please contact: Tracy Hemwall at tracyh@energy-workshops.org to schedule a program.

 

Subject-specific workshops:

K-6 Librarian Workshop – 6 hours – designed for school and public librarians. Includes lesson activities and an annotated bibliography of energy books and media.

 

Mathematics Workshop – 6 hours – for teachers in Grades 8 and 9. Incorporates math-focused lessons aligned with the NYS Learning Standards and Correlations.

 

ABCs of Energy
(Grades K-3) – 6 hours
This hands-on workshop introduces basic energy content through fun and engaging activities that will lay the groundwork for energy education at an early age. Students will apply classroom lessons to their own lives through a family-oriented take-home activity.

4Es of Energy
(Grades 4-6) – 6 hours
How does energy relate to the environment, our economy, efficiency, and the all-important “E” – education? Find out in this hands-on, interdisciplinary workshop. Explore energy forms and sources, global climate change, and ways to address our energy challenges. A new school-to-home booklet teaches students and families how to cut their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprints. Help collect energy action plans, and qualify for gift certificates for educational supplies and additional classroom incentives.

Energy Trilogy
(Grades 7-12) – 6 hours
This interdisciplinary workshop will define the energy trilogy—economics, efficiency, and the environment—and how they relate to global demand and climate change. Don’t miss this opportunity to introduce your students to the impacts of their energy use. Using new curriculum materials, explore actions we can take to make a difference at school and at home. Involve your students in developing energy action plans, and qualify for gift certificates for educational supplies and additional classroom incentives.

 

Sustainable Living

(Grades 6-12) – 2.5 hours

Learn how to measure your energy use and make informed, energy-wise decisions. Engage in hands-on activities, and receive a teaching tool kit you can use with your class to explore sustainability practices in energy, water, transportation, food, and the consumption of goods. Following the workshop, you and your class can qualify for incentives and prizes based on your implementation of sustainable actions.

 

Recently concluded courses:

 

STEM Summer Academy at Rensselaer

Various STEM Summer teacher opportunities will be sponsored by Rensselaer. Go to http://summer.rpi.edu/update.do for further information.

 

Rensselaer faculty members will provide several innovative project-based learning sessions that will give participants experience in integrating transdisciplinary STEM-based tools, technologies, and practices into their high school’s curriculum. The sessions will include presentations, discussions and applications of Culturally Situated Design Tools; Mathematics Education Tools, Mobile Studio Pedagogy, and IT in Biology. The faculty will also expose the participants to ways that they can incorporate these technologies, pedagogies and educational practices into classroom experiences through principles developed in Rensselaer’s Design Studio. Learn more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's “progressive dialogue” on ways to improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, Click here.

Earth Science In Space Has No Boundaries

August 9-13, 2010
1 week day program
Open to pre-service and in-service middle school and high school science teachers.
If you have any questions, please contact Camp Director, Heidi Newberg, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, (518) 276-2652, heidi@rpi.edu.

ASM High School Teacher Camp

July 19-23, 2010
1 week day program with residential option
Open to science, physics, chemistry, and technology teachers.
If you have any questions, please contact Camp Director, Dan Lewis, Ph.D., (518) 276-2297, lewisd2@rpi.edu.

Program Inquiries/Questions

Interested in a custom training for your state, district or school or additional information on summer teacher programs at Rensselaer? For further information, Request Information, or contact, Mike Gunther, Program Manager for Recruitment, (518) 276-8351, gunthm@rpi.edu.

 

Math Professional Development by Content Area –
Algebra II with Trigonometry - A Study Group

Do you feel isolated as the only teacher in your content area? Do we become better teachers when we share and compare with colleagues teaching the same course?

The purpose of this study group is to assemble a group of algebra II with trigonometry teachers from the Capital Region to share and expand their knowledge specific to this course. The group will discuss the new state curriculum and standards and how they are different from the prior math course B. The group will discuss the topical application of useful teaching strategies in utilizing technology. The group will brainstorm focused student questions that evoke intellectual and creative thought using problem-based learning.

An outcome of this group interaction will be to establish a sustainable cohort of math teachers with similar professional needs. The cohort will share needs and advice through an email distribution list or listserv designed for continuing support and community building.

We anticipate similar work in the future with different courses and expanding the work into lesson studies and curriculum mapping. Dr. Jim Mathews from Siena College has been engaged as a presenter for one of the group meetings. Materials (books, etc.) will be made available to support group efforts.

Schedule of activities and location may change according to participant needs.
Facilitator: Erika Loucks is a math teacher at Schoharie Central School District and has been a teacher leader for the Texas Instruments professional development program.
Dates: 2010-Mar 23, Apr 13, May 18, Tue. Schoharie in Mar and Apr and Siena College in May.

Code: PSG 3403

Flyer and information.

 

USING SMART BOARDS IN THE CLASSROOM

SMART Board basics will teach about necessary components for using a SMART Board interactive whiteboard in the classroom.  Participants will learn how to start, orient and use a SMART Board, as well as how to access applications using a SMART Board interface.

 

SMART Board Ink Aware will teach you how to integrate SMART Boards tools with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  You will learn how SMART Tools interface with these software programs, and how to best use the programs with a SMART Board

 

SMART Board Notebook Software will introduce you to the software designed for use on the SMART Board.  Learn how to use all of the basic functions of the software, as well as how to plan and organize your Notebook files.  Objects in Notebook Software include:

• Manipulating Objects
• Handwriting Recognition
• Typed Text
• Drawing Tools
• Inserting Images
• Sharing files

 

SMART Board Objects in Notebook will introduce you to more advanced features of Notebook Software.  Learn how to make the best use of object oriented software, how to make files and lessons more interactive, and how to share your lessons with others.

 

• Interactive Lesson Activities will
• Basic Design Considerations
• Working with Fonts
• Reveal methods
• Identifying and labeling
• Spotlight and Magic Pen

 

SMART Board Interactive Lessons will challenge you to develop better lessons, encourage interactivity within your files, design thematic files and create more engaging lessons.

Together, if there is time remaining,we will create an interactive lesson in Notebook Software that addresses multiple learning styles, while  providing  opportunity for differentiated instruction. ***  Completion of this course will enable you to be SMART certified.

Location:  Saratoga CSD Administration Office, Saratoga NY

Date: TBD

Time:  9am-4pm (lunch on your own) 6 hrs in-service

Code: WS

 

Location:  GCRTC, Room 110A,  Rensselaer NY

Date:  TBD

Time:  9am-4pm (lunch on your own) 6 hrs in-service

Code:  WS

 

Location: East Greenbush Community Library, East Greenbush NY

Date:  TBD

Time: 9am-4pm (lunch on your own) 6 hrs in-service

Code: WS

 

Climate Change - Smithsonian

The Smithsonian is addressing the global challenge of climate change with special exhibitions and ongoing research. You can participate in these investigations and deepen your understanding through the Smithsonian Online Education Conference: Climate Change. Throughout the days of September 29 through October 1, 2009, participants explored Smithsonian research and collections related to the evidence, impact, and response to climate change. Alongside Smithsonian scientists and curators, they looked at the issues surrounding climate change from the perspectives of science, history, and art. If you were unable to join us for these live events, you can still access them by exploring the session recordings, topic dicussions, and additional resources available on the conference website.

Throughout the conference, participants can explore Smithsonian research and collections related to the evidence, impact and response to climate change. Alongside Smithsonian scientists and curators, the public can look at the issues surrounding climate change from the perspectives of science, history and art.

The conference shows the depth of research that the Smithsonian can bring to a current problem. Smithsonian scientists and other experts lead participants in explorations of Smithsonian research on this important issue via live presentations, moderated forums and demonstrations. Through live streaming, speakers will respond to questions and comments from the audience. All of the conference sessions were archived and can be replayed at any time via the Web at http://www.SmithsonianEducation.org
 
Among the presenters are:

• Bert Drake, senior scientist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, who leads two major studies of the impact of atmospheric carbon dioxide on ecosystems
• Don Moore, associate director for animal care at the National Zoo, who helps create conservation-management plans for wildlife
• Scott Wing, paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History, who specializes in prehistoric plant life and its reactions to climate change

 

Mathematical Literacy

A P-16 Literacy Symposium follow-up: with Irene “Sam” Jovell (Grades 6-11) & Gail Sobolewski (Grades K-6)

Mathematical Literacy - What is it, how can we help students achieve it, and why must it be part of our curriculum? Students need to speak, read, and write mathematical terms to attain conceptual understanding. The state tests now demand a higher level of reading and writing and we must provide our students with experiences that promote these skills within the math curriculum.
The workshop will focus on the Communications Strand of the New York State standards which asks students to:

• Share mathematical ideas through the manipulation of objects, drawings, pictures, and verbal explanations;
• Share mathematical ideas in both written and verbal explanations;
• Answer clarifying questions from others;
• Use appropriate mathematical terms, vocabulary, and language;
• Increase their use of mathematical vocabulary and language when communicating with others; and
• Describe objects, relationships, solutions, and rationale using appropriate vocabulary.
  

 

Contact Questar III for scheduling questions at 518-477-8771

 

 

 

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