Courses and Workshops

Enhancing the Teaching of Mathematics with the use of

TI-83 Calculators and CBLs

Credit: 3 hours graduate	Instructors: RPSEC, Chemistry and Mathematical Sciences Department Faculty, and two High School Teachers
Course Number: SMED 729	Dates: July 13-24
Times: 8:30am-4:00pm	Course Fee: $75 application Fee
Location: Ruth Patrick Science Education Center

Course Description: This course is intended for all middle and high school mathematics and science teachers, department heads and curriculum specialists interested in learning more about hands on applications in math and science. Participants will receive hands-on training in the use of the TI-83 and Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) units in teaching and learning mathematics and science. Participants will receive free classroom materials upon completion of the course. Call Angela Taylor to register at (641-3313) or (from Augusta) 278-1967 (ext. 3313).

Physics for Teachers in Grades 4-9

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor: Dr. Edwin R. Jones, USC Columbia
Course Number: SMED 729	Course Fee: $250 (payable first day of class)
Dates: Monday - Thursday, June 15 - July 2	Times: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Location: USC Columbia, Jones Physical Science Center

Course Description: Participants will study the following physics-related topics taught in grades 4-9: electricity and magnetism, light and color, types and forms of energy, force and motion, and machines and work.

For more information or to enroll, call either Mrs. Kitty Farnell, (803)732-8000, or Dr. Jones, (803)777-6714.

Ecology of the National Parks of Kenya

Summer 1999

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor: Dr. Jeff Priest
Course Number: BIO 772J	Course Fee: $4,100 Tuition, travel, lodging,and meals
Dates: TBA	Times: TBA

Course Description: This once in a life time course explores the fauna and flora of 5 National Parks in Kenya. Participants will fly out of Atlanta and begin their journey through Kenya from Nairobi. Travel in Kenya will be by Safari Trucks that allow safe, but close viewing of the wildlife in the National Parks. For the brave-at-heart, short walks from the vehicles will be arranged. Sleeping will occur in lodges.

Call Angela Taylor to register at 641-3313 or (from Augusta) 278-1967 (ext. 3313).

Teaching Physics with Toys

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor: Harriet L. Hare
Course Number: SMED 729	Course Fee: $75 application Fee
Dates: Monday-Friday, July 27 - August 7 (Follow-up day August 15)	Times: 9am-3pm
Location: Ruth Patrick Science Education Center

Course Description: Developed through the National Science Foundations Teaching Science with Toys Program at Miami University, this course for K-8 teachers is designed to demonstrate basic principles of physics so that teachers and students alike discover that physics can be fun. Each class session will consist of active involvement in three hands on activities, one at each of three developmental levels, evaluation of each activity and discussion of the scientific background necessary to understand the phenomena observed. All hands on activities are classroom tested, practical, safe and effective. Time and material requirements, suggested variations, reproducible sheets and materials are provided for each teacher. The necessary background of all the basic principles will be taught. All activities will be aligned with the SC Science Academic Achievement Standards and/or local curriculum. Call Angela Taylor to register at (641-3313) or (from Augusta) 278-1967 (3313)

Using Computers to Support Instruction

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor: Dr. Gary Senn
Course Number: EDTE 631	Course Fee: $75 application Fee
Dates: Mon, June 8, 1998; Mon-Thur, June 15-25, Mon-Wed, June 29-July 1	Times: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Ruth Patrick Science Education Center

Course Description: Use of computer technology in teaching and managing science classes and programs in grades K-12. The course is designed to be platform independent so that techniques learned can be applied to any computer system. Students will learn the necessary techniques to make the computer an instructional tool in the classroom. They will learn the basics of an integrated word processor, spreadsheet, and database program. This integrated package will be created to produce handout materials, quizzes and tests, a computerized grade book, a database of students, student progress reports, and a classroom newsletter.

Call Angela Taylor to register at (641-3313) or (from Augusta) 278-1967 ( 3313)

Selected Topics in Teaching Science

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor: Dr. Diana Rice
Course Number: EDTE 701	Course Fee: $75 Application Fee
Dates: July 7 - 24	Times: 9:00am - 12:15pm
Location: TBA

Course Description: Primarily for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers. Designed for students in the IMA/Natural Science program to provide them with knowledge of recent advances in science teaching. Teachers will explore the historical, social and political contexts of science and science teaching; relate the nature of science and issue of equity in science to science instruction; explore various instructional and authentic assessment strategies through an interactive format including student lesson presentations; review the relationships between cognitive development and instructional strategies; explore the National Science Standards, SC Science Framework and Achievement Standards. Participants in the class will be expected to develop and revise science lessons for their classrooms. This course will satisfy the requirement for a course in curriculum and instruction for the IMA/NS degree program. Contact Angela Taylor at 641-3313 or from Augusta 278-1967(3313)

Networking Education With

Teaching Strategies (NEWTS)

Dates: June 22-26	Time: 8:30am-4:00pm
Free Backpack,	Free Materials

NEWTS is being offered to help teachers develop a viable environmental science program using local wet sites for scientific study and analysis. Field trips will provide hands on experience. Objectives: Participants will be able to identify the three factors which delineate a wetland.

They will further be able to recognize various types of wetland habitats by both source and trophic level. They will be able to use a variety of testing equipment and analyze the test results with regard to the environmental health of the aquatic/wetland habitat.

20 teachers will be selected. Call Debra Lindsay at (803) 725-0070 for more information.

SEPUP Workshop (Science Education

for Public Understanding Program)

Instructors: Gwen Johnson, Pamela Ferris, Mark Koker, and Mary Johnson	Location: University of South Carolina Aiken
Dates: June 22-26, 1998 (First Time Users) July 27-28, 1998 (Veteran Users)	Time: 8:30am-4:00pm

Hands-on Science Training for Middle and High School Teachers Grades 6-9. Each teacher will receive 30 hours of staff development and school teams will receive $1000 in hands-on science kits and activity modules.To register, contact the RPSEC by May 15 at 648-3313 or (from Augusta) 278-1967 (ext. 3313). Space is limited.

Sponsored by Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, and Natural Resources Science, Mathematics & Engineering Education Program.

The COASTEAM Program

a unique hands-on graduate level course

training teams of teachers in marine science

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructors: Phil Astwood, Beth Day, Collette Dryden, Marian Davis
Course Number: SMED 729-Special Topics in Earth Science for Teachers	Course Fee: $250
Dates: June 15-26	Times: 8:30am-12:30pm
Location: USC Columbia

Course Description: Offered on a reduced tuition basis, the class will meet at USC Columbia five days per week from June 15-26. This will include a three-day trip to Pritchard's Island. All books and materials will be supplied. Since there will be a follow-up sessions scheduled later in the fall, grades for this class will not be issued until the end of the fall semester.

To Register: Form a team of two teachers from one school. One teacher from the primary grades (K-3), and one from the upper elementary grades (4-5). Send the name, address, social security number for each team member to: Phil Astwood, Center for Science Education, USC, Columbia, SC 29208

Project Learning Tree

Secondary Modules now Available

Most CSRA teachers have heard about or taken a workshop in Project Learning Tree, and many have used the environmental education activities in the K-8 Activity Guide. Well, the new Secondary Modules are now out and they are excellent, especially for teachers with outdoor classrooms or nature trails. Also, GLOBE-trained teachers will find the units to be a great supplement to the Land Cover/Biology protocols.

The word "secondary" here does not mean high school only. Middle school and even upper elementary teachers will find these new activities to be very applicable to their curricula. The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology module, includes well-presented units on ecosystems, succession, fire's role in the forest, the problem of introduced species, and more. Math and science teachers will especially like the application of skills taught in this module.

Focus on Forests: Exploring Environmental Issues enhances the student's environmental awareness and promotes higher level thinking skills. Issues range from the Spotted Owl endangered species controversy to making tough choices about management, and how to take appropriate action to affect change on environmental issues. Social studies and English teachers will be pleased with the material in this module.

Teddy Shuler of NRSMEEP will offer a full or a one-half day workshop this spring if there is enough interest. Call Debbie Lindsay at 803-725-0070 to request this tentative workshop.

International Migratory

Bird Day

Field Trip Scheduled

International Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 9, 1998. On this date, bird enthusiasts, scientists, and volunteers will be tracking the progress of bird migration from tropical rain forests, to our temperate regions in the U. S., and on to northern climes. This valuable census data will help scientists to understand better the ranges of certain species, the health of populations, and major problems birds may be encountering on their amazing long-distance treks across the continents.

Teddy and Ned Shuler of NRSMEEP will lead the field trip in Barnwell County which includes a large area of SRS, while the Aiken-Augusta Audubon Society will census the birds in Aiken County. Everyone is welcome, and no special skill is needed. Both counts will last all day so bring lunch and drinks. Extra binoculars and field guides will be available for those who need them. (Note: Those who would like to participate for only part of the day may do so by special arrangement.) Call Debbie Lindsay at 803-725-0070 to register.

Special Topics in Science Teaching:

Global Environmental Education Institute

Credit: 3 hrs graduate credit	Instructor:s Edward Shuler, Theodora Shuler, Norm Rischbieter, and Jodi Childs
Course Number: SMED 729	Course Fee: $75 Application Fee
Dates: June 15-29	Times: 8:30am-4:00pm

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce science and math teachers to environmental sciences on global scale. The class will involve using hands-on methods to study the environment, including the use of the appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, share, and analyze data. Call Debbie Lindsay at 803-725-0070 to register.