Frontiers in Physiology Fellowships

Middle and high school science teachers are invited to apply for a year-long $9,000 professional development fellowship in the Frontiers in Physiology Program, Six Star Science for Student-Centered Learning, sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS). Six Star Science principles support excellence in education: student-centered instruction, diversity/equity, technology, assessment, current scientific content, and reflecting on teaching and learning.

From April 2009 – April 2010, teacher fellows intensively examine their current teaching methods and learning environments, as well as deepen their understanding of standards by developing/enhancing Six Star Science classroom materials. During the summer of 2009, teacher fellows partner with a local APS member scientist immersing themselves in the world of cutting-edge biomedical research for 7-8 weeks. Fellows also participate in a week-long professional development workshop, the Science Teaching Forum (July 2009). The fellowship concludes with a trip to a scientific conference in Anaheim, California.

Awardees receive:

Consulting payments of up to $9,000, travel costs, and a mini-grant for classroom materials. For more information go to: www.frontiersinphys.org

Application deadline: January 8, 2009.

Frontiers in Physiology is supported by the APS, a Science Education Partnership Award (R25RR025127) from the National Center for Research Resources, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R13DK39306) at the National Institutes of Health.

The APS K-12 Education Programs Coordinator is Mel Limson,  (301.634.7231)

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Oklahoma’s OBTA

Kay Gamble, Ada High School Biology teacher, is the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) for Oklahoma. The OBTA is given each year by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) to a life science teacher in each state who demonstrates exemplary practice in the teaching of life science.  Kay is pictured with Oklahoma OBTA Director Bob Melton at the recent Awards Luncheon at NABT’s Staff Development Conference in Memphis where Kay and her fellow OBTA awardees from across the country were recognized.

Pearson, the OBTA program sponsor, gives each awardee a pair of precision binoculars. The recipients also receive a microscope through the generosity of Leica Microsystems, Inc. Award winners and their schools also receive certificates, as well as public and professional recognition. Recipients receive a year’s complimentary membership in NABT and NABT honors Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recipients at a special ceremony in conjunction with its national conference. 

The OBTA is open to current biology/life science instructors (grades 7-12) with at least three years public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee’s career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science. NABT membership is not a requirement. Unsuccessful candidates may be renominated. OBTA winners are ineligible for 10 years after selection. 

Candidates will complete a form summarizing their professional experience, academic background, and education philosophy and provide four recommendations from colleagues familiar with their teaching effectiveness. Classroom observations and/or videotapes are also important steps in the evaluation process. 

Candidates for the OBTA can be nominated for the award by colleagues, administrators, students, the teacher/candidates themselves, or anyone competent to judge the candidate’s teaching effectiveness.

To participate or nominate someone for the OBTA,  fill out the Nomination form for the award or request a form from the NABT office, 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr., #110, Reston, VA 20191. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2009. You can also send the name and contact information of your nominee in an e-mail to Bob Melton, the Oklahoma OBTA Director or call NABT at (703) 264-9696/ (800) 406-0775 for information.

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OESE Evolution Conference

Participants and instructors gather for a group photo

Thanks to another generous grant from the Delta Foundation, Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE), held their 3rd annual Evolution professional development workshop for Oklahoma high school science teachers.  ”Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century” took place last weekend (October 24-26) at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma.  

Conference participants learned about internet resources for teaching evolution, the logic of scientific investigation, evo-devo, genomics, the fossil record and macroevolution, how to deal with classroom and community controversy, the various forms of creationism, the legal and organizational support for teaching evolution, and classroom approaches to evolution education.

Conference Instructors included Ola Fincke (Zoology, OU), Victor Hutchison (Zoology, OU), Frank Sonleitner (Zoology, OU),  Richard Broughton (Zoology, OU), Joseph Maness (Biology, SWOSU), Stanley Rice (Biology, SEOSU), Bob Melton (Science Curriculum Specialist, Putnam City Schools).

The “Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century”  series of workshops from OESE provides an opportunity for in-service and pre-service educators to immerse themselves in evolution and approaches to teaching evolution in a retreat-like atmosphere at the OU Biological Station.  It’s a beautiful setting with opportunities for professional networking and intensive content and pedagogical exploration.  There was even an opportunity to take a geology field trip (with the bonus of a little impromptu herpetology).  OESE has other teacher workshops in the offing and OSTA members and website lurkers will be among the first to know.  Check the OESE link for more info.

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OUHSC Mini-Medical School still has openings!

As reported on this site back in early September, Mini-Medical School will be on Tuesday, November 11, 5:30pm, on the OU Health Sciences Center campus in Oklahoma City. The cost is $35 and discounts may still be available.

The link for the registration is http://www.okneuroscience.com and click on Mini-Medical  School or you can obtain more information and a mail-in registration form HERE .

Students attending this event will literally sit in the seat of a medical student for the night being challenged to expand their knowledge of the brain. The class will combine basic science (anatomy and physiology) and clinical situations to gain a better understanding of the brain’s function from a doctor’s point of view. Experiences include hands-on instruction at “brain workstations”, use of a syllabus, taking a quiz, and receipt of a certificate of achievement.

Theresa Rush of the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience is organizing the reservations – please call her at 405.271.6267 or  e-mail her HERE.

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OSTA Fall Conference

The OSTA Fall Conference, Science Inside and Out,  was held this last week-end (October 25th) and NSU- Broken Arrow.  If you haven’t been on the campus, it is new, state of the art, and a great facility for holding a conference like OSTA. As advertised, vendors were there to show their wares and science teachers from across the state were there to share their expertise with their fellow educators during the 24 inservice sessions given Saturday.  

Of course, one of the highlights of the Fall Conference is the annual Awards Luncheon.  The following people were honored:

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This View of Life – Darwin at OU 2009

“This View of Life” is a year-long series of events coordinated by faculty and students across many units of the University of Oklahoma designed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species.

The purpose of the Darwin 2009 activities is to provide a series of venues in which scholars and citizens of Oklahoma can learn and think about the ideas of Darwin, Darwinism, and evolution in many different disciplinary contexts, both historical and contemporary.

The opening ceremony for This View of Life will take place February 12 and will be hosted by the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.  The opening address will be delivered by the historian and philosopher of science, John M. Lynch.  Lynch is an Honors Fellow at Arizona State University and its Center for Biology and Society.

Other features of the commemoration include a number of special courses and events including a public lecture on March 6th from Richard Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene, Climbing Mount Improbable and The God Delusion. Professor Richard Dawkins, the renowned evolutionary biologist, theorist and outspoken atheist, will visit the university to meet with students and deliver a public lecture sponsored by the OU departments of zoology and religious studies. Dawkins is Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, England, and this event will be a unique opportunity for students and the public alike to engage with one of the most talented and controversial figures in science today.

This View of Life will be one of the more significant Darwin Anniversary Year observances in the country. Many other events and resources related to This View of Life are found on the project’s web page.

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Building Bridges Project at OSU

Are you a new science or mathematics teacher in grades 6-8?  You are invited to join the Building Bridges project at OSU which helps  connect university faculty with early career teachers!  Participating teachers will meet 3 times through the 2008-09 year with faculty and graduate students from OSU and participate in an online support system for teachers.  Workshop days will include classroom-ready inquiry based mathematics and science lessons and activities to enhance reflective teaching.  Teachers will meet on the OSU-Tulsa campus November 21st and January 22nd and on the OSU-Stillwater campus April 6th for the annual Celebration of Teaching.  At the Celebration of Teaching meeting, participating Building Bridges teachers will meet and interact with the National Teacher of the Year (who happens to be a science educator) and the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year (a mathematics educator).  Enrollment in the workshop will be on a first come, first served basis. Teachers will receive lunch on each workshop day and school districts will be reimbursed for substitutes.   Please feel free to contact the project administrators by email (see below) or by phone at 405-744-8050 if you have any further questions.

Click these links to find the Application or here to view a flier about the Building Bridges Project.

Juliana Utley, Ph. D., Asst. Professor of Mathematics Education     

Julie Thomas, Ph. D., Professor of Science Education              

Kansas Pope, Graduate Teaching Associate                                

Adrienne Redmond, Graduate Teaching Associate

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OSTA Board Office Election

Each fall, OSTA members attending the fall conference confirm through their vote a slate of candidates to serve on the OSTA Board of Directors. The terms for most offices are two years, but those elected Vice President continue service as the following year’s President-Elect and then a year as OSTA President.  At Saturday’s OSTA Fall Conference, Science Inside and Out, you will have the opportunity to confirm this year’s slate of additions to the OSTA Board. The candidates are:

Vice-President: Kay Emde

Treasurer:  Peggy Alexander

Middle School Division Director:  Joyce Cheatham

College Division Director:  Beth Allan

District II, Northwest:  Sue Hull

District IV, Southeast:  Deborah Hill

OKC: DeAnn Deason 

High School:  Tina Rogers (to finish a one-year) term for Sally Fenska 

Voting begins at 8:30 this Saturday morning (October 25th) at NSU- Broken Arrow.  Go to the Conference page for details.  See you Saturday!

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Apply Now For The 2008-09 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program

Attention K-12 teachers: Are you an experienced educator who is ready to make a difference on a national scale? If so, consider applying for an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship and prepare for a year of unique opportunities. As an Einstein Fellow you will spend a school year in Washington, DC sharing your expertise with policy makers. You may serve your Fellowship with Congress or one of several government agencies such as the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The goal of the Einstein Fellows program is to provide an opportunity for teachers to inform national policy and improve communication between the K-12 STEM education community and national leaders. Selection is based on excellence in K-12 mathematics, science, or technology teaching; demonstrated leadership; an understanding of national, state, and local education policy; and communication and interpersonal skills. The Fellowship program was created in 1990 with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Congress formalized the program in 1994 by passing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act. The Triangle Coalition administers the program under the direction of the Department of Energy. The application deadline is January 13, 2009.

Apply online at https://applicationlink.labworks.org/applicationlink/default.htm  

For more information about the Einstein Fellows program visit www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm or contact Liz Burck at burckl@triangle-coalition.org.  

Editor’s note: OSTA Past-President Julie Angle is currently serving as an Einstein Fellow and is spending her fellowship year at NSF.

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Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development

Applications are available now for 2009 professional development scholarship and must be submitted on or before Nov. 14, 2008.  Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development are designed to enhance educational opportunities for students by allowing teachers to attend top‑quality regional, national and international workshops and institutes in their chosen fields. The scholarships help cover the costs of tuition, travel, lodging and the expense of hiring substitute teachers. 

For more information on Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development, contact the Foundation office at (405) 236‑0006 or e‑mail bwheelock@ofe.org.

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