August 31st, 2010 Bob
Calling all teachers and principals!!!
You’re invited to get a Sneak Peek in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. For one night only, visit four Adventure District locations to learn about educational programs, speak with representatives about educational resources, receive refreshments and free supplies for your classroom and students. Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, located at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44 has it all for you – all in one central location.
Tuesday September 28, 2010
Come and go from 4-7 p.m. (attractions will close at 7 p.m.)
Participating locations:
Remington Park – 1 Remington Pl. – START HERE for CHECK IN on Sept. 28 (both registered and non-registered participants)
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – 1700 NE 63rd St.
Oklahoma City Zoo – 2101 NE 50th St.
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum – 2801 NE 50th St.
WIN:
Visit all four locations to be eligible for a drawing for GRAND PRIZES including FREE field trips, attraction memberships, suite packages and more! Also receive free refreshments and supplies for your students and classroom at the participating locations.
REGISTER online here: http://www.okcadventure.com/teachers-sneak-peek/
We look forward to seeing you there! Questions? Call 405.290.7529. Download the flier here.
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August 27th, 2010 Bob
Co-sponsored by OU Cellular & Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program & Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
For further information go to: http://www.ou.edu/htdocs/cbn/news-and events/seminars/neuroethologydreamcourse.html
Eve Marder
Victor and Gwendolyn Beinfield Professor of Neuroscience Chair, Biology Department, Brandeis University
National Academy of Sciences member
“Variability, Compensation, Homeostasis and Modulation of Neurons and Circuits”
7 PM, Thursday, September 9 Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
John G. Hildebrand
Regents Professor and Professor of Neuroscience, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Entomology, and Molecular & Cellular Biology
Department Head, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona
National Academy of Sciences member
“The most dangerous animals in the world: arthropod vectors of disease”
7 PM, Tuesday, September 21
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
“Explorations of a ‘Simple’ Olfactory System”
4:30 PM, Wednesday, September 22
George Lynn Cross Hall 123
Masakazu (Mark) Konishi
Bing Professor of Behavioral Biology, Caltech
National Academy of Sciences member
“Science of birdsong”
7 PM, Tuesday, October 5
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
“How owls catch prey in the dark”
4:30 PM, Wednesday, October 6
George Lynn Cross Hall 123
http://biology.caltech.edu
www.bio.brandeis.edu
Joseph R. Fetcho
Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
Cornell University
“A ground plan underlying the organization of motor networks in hindbrain and spinal cord ”
4:30 PM, Wednesday, October 20
George Lynn Cross Hall 123
“Using transparent animals and fluorescent nerve cells to understand the brain and behavior”
7 PM, Thursday, October 21
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
William B. Kristan, Jr.
Distinguished Professor, Section of Neurobiology
University of California, San Diego
“Life as a multiple choice exam: Neuronal mechanisms of decision making”
4:30 PM, Wednesday, November 10
George Lynn Cross Hall 123
“Thinking like a leech: Complex decisions in a simple nervous system”
7 PM, Thursday, November 11
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
Larry J. Young
William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University
Chair, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
“The Science of Love and Bonding: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders”
7 PM, Tuesday, November 30
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History auditorium
“Molecular Neurobiology of Social Bonding”
4:30 PM, Wednesday, December 1
George Lynn Cross Hall 123
http://neuroscience.cornell.ed u
http://biology.ucsd.edu
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August 27th, 2010 Bob
Slots are still available! Registration deadline extended to Sept. 3. The workshop has been highly rated by past participants. All costs are covered – the only cost to participants is the $25 registration fee and all will receive a check (for approx. $35) to cover travel or other expenses.
Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century
Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE), the National Science Foundation (NSF-0845314), and the University of Oklahoma Biological Station UOBS) present a professional development workshop on Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century for Oklahoma high school science teachers and undergraduate and graduate students in science education. The workshop will be held Friday Sept. 17 (6:00 PM) through Sunday Sept. 19, 2010 (3:00 PM) at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma, OK.
Topics covered will include: The nature of science and latest developments in evolutionary biology, resources on teaching evolution and services available for teachers, curriculum development and state standards, and dealing with classroom and community controversy. Teachers will have the opportunity to present their favorite lesson plans and discuss any problems they have encountered in teaching evolution.
Instructors include Julie Angle (Teaching and Curriculum Leadership, OSU), Dr Richard Broughton (Zoology, OU), Dr. Ola Fincke (Zoology, OU), Dr. Victor Hutchison (Zoology, OU), Dr. Cecil Lewis (Anthropology, OU), Bob Melton (Science Curriculum Specialist, Putnam City Schools), Dr. Stanley Rice (Biological Sciences, Southeastern OSU), and Dr. Frank Sonleitner (Zoology, OU).
Participants will earn a certificate of participation for professional development credit. Attendees will receive two books on teaching evolution: Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science, and The Virus and the Whale: Exploring Evolution in Creatures Large and Small. Accomodations and meals at the UOBS and a stipend to cover travel are included.
The only cost for participants is a $25 registration fee. Deadline for registration and payment of fee will be Sept. 3, 2010. Registrants will receive a confirmation letter with maps and additional information.
Further information, registration forms and payment information are on-line at: www.oklascience.org/teachers.pdf and at www.ou.edu /uobs/teachers.htm .
To sign up for the Oklahoma Evolution list serve and for many teaching resources, news, events, books, humor, petition on science only in science classes, and much, more see the OESE web site: http://www.oklascience.org
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August 25th, 2010 Bob
Do you want to try out new classroom materials before you introduce them to your students? Are you willing to get your hands dirty attempting a new teaching technique? The 2010 NABT Professional Development Conference is just the place to “test drive” new tools and techniques.
This year, the Conference will feature hand picked, hands-on workshops in a featured Practice What You Teach session strand. Highlighting activities in subjects like anatomy, biotechnology, and genetics, the Practice What You Teach sessions will let you experience the activity as your students would, going through the actual exercises from start to finish. Appropriate for all levels of educators, these fun and engaging workshops will help you get the most out of your time in Minneapolis. VisitProgram Updates for the latest information on special presentations and sessions.
Advance Registration ends on October 12th. Register today to take advantage of special savings and reserve your tickets for field trips, special workshops, and meal functions.
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August 25th, 2010 Bob
Kansas City is the destination and NSTA’s Conference on Science Education is the activity planned for Oct 28-30, 2010. Register by Sep 17 to save the most on topnotch professional development for science educators. Teachers at every stage in their careers should consider the benefits of a getaway to build skills and get inspired. Workshops, presentations, short courses and renowned speakers will offer wide-ranging options at this conference. Choose to be inspired.
Take a look at some of the scheduled sessions.
- Evolution: Variation, Selection, and Time, Middle-High School
- Modeling the Spectrum-Explore a complete unit from pre to post assessment that looks at different methods to examine the electromagnetic spectrum. Middle-High
- Science and Math Lessons for the Biological Sciences-Integration and differentiation included. Middle School
- Polymerically Perfect Sodas: Teaching the Science and Technology of Plastics, Middle-High, Informal
- Amazing Thing Cells Can Do, Middle-High School
- Climate Change: Classroom Tools to Explore the Past, Present, and Future-Middle-High, Informal
- STEM in Action: The Bridge to the Real World, Elem-High School
- Improving Assessments, Increasing Rigor, High School
- Activities from Across the Earth System, hands-on, inquiry-based activities spanning the five “spheres” of Earth system science. Handouts provided. Elem-High School
- Science + Writing + Learning-implement science notebooks in your classrooms. Notebook components, math integration, supporting data, and assessments will be addressed using student examples. Elem-Middle
- Inquiry Matters: Incorporating Inquiry into Elementary and Middle School Physical Science, Elem-Middle School
- Featured Presentation-Kenneth Wesson, Understanding the History of the Brain as the Foundation for Future Learning
- Wind Energy Science for the Classroom, Short Course (ticketed), Middle-High School. Learn about the science and engineering behind wind energy. Activities and lesson plans.
- Biology Day, Physics Day, and Chemistry Day: Focus on your discipline
- Symposia: Exemplary Science Program-Best practices for producing superior student learning.
- Field trip (ticketed): Conservation Connections-Hands-on nature in the heart of Kansas City. Think about “Tree Trackers” and “Backyard Birds.”
For more information on the conference, visit www.nsta.org and use the personal browser to view sessions in which you’re interested.
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August 22nd, 2010 Bob
TEACHER EVOLUTION WORKSHOP
Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century
Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE), the National Science Foundation (NSF-0845314), and the University of Oklahoma Biological Station (UOBS) present a professional development workshop on Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century for Oklahoma high school science teachers and undergraduate and graduate students in science education. The workshop will be held Friday Sept. 17 (6:00 PM) through Sunday Sept. 19, 2010 (3:00 PM) at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma, OK.
Topics covered will include: The nature of science and latest developments in evolutionary biology, resources on teaching evolution and services available for teachers, curriculum development and state standards, and dealing with classroom and community controversy. Teachers will have the opportunity to present their favorite lesson plans and discuss any problems they have encountered in teaching evolution.
Instructors include Julie Angle (Teaching and Curriculum Leadership, OSU), Dr Richard Broughton (Zoology, OU), Dr. Ola Fincke (Zoology, OU), Dr. Victor Hutchison (Zoology, OU), Dr. Cecil Lewis (Anthropology, OU), Bob Melton (Science Curriculum Specialist, Putnam City Schools), Dr. Stanley Rice (Biological Sciences, Southeastern OSU), and Dr. Frank Sonleitner (Zoology, OU).
Participants will earn a certificate of participation for professional development credit.
Attendees will receive two books on teaching evolution: Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science, and The Virus and the Whale: Exploring Evolution in Creatures Large and Small. Accommodations and meals at the UOBS and a stipend to cover travel are included.
The only cost for participants is a $25 registration fee. Deadline for registration and payment of fee will be Sept. 1, 2010. Early registration is advised since places are limited to 30 registrants. Registrants will receive a confirmation letter with maps and additional information.
Further information, registration forms and payment information are on-line at: www.oklascience.org/teachers.pdf and at www.ou.edu /uobs/teachers.htm .
To sign up for the Oklahoma Evolution list serve and for many teaching resources, news, events, books, humor, petition on science only in science classes, and much, more see the OESE web site: http://www.oklascience.org
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August 18th, 2010 Bob
Last week we posted the information about The OSTA Fall Conference November 6th at UCO. First off, it’s time to register for the conference. Registration can be made today and payment can be made securely, online with your credit card. The link is found in last week’s blog posting or by clicking the Conference tab at the top of this page. SAVE MONEY and register early!
THINGS TO DO TODAY!
In addition to processing your registration, you need to download and send in a proposal to present to the conference. The big draw in an OSTA Conference is the staff development. And that comes about when you share your great ideas with the rest of the science teachers in Oklahoma at the Fall Conference. The deadline is coming up and NOW is the time when the conference committee is formulating the program.
This is also the time when you need to step up and exercise your responsibility as a member. Nominate someone or volunteer to run for an OSTA Board of Directors post. Any while you are at it, nominate someone for an OSTA award. Don’t leave this important task solely to the discretion of the Board of Directors. Suggest some folks who deserve recognition for the hard work they do for the children in Oklahoma!
Don’t delay! Act on these things today!
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August 13th, 2010 Bob
The chorus of support for the teaching of evolution continues, with three statements from the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, the American Statistical Association, and the Union for Reform Judaism.
In its statement, the American Society of Plant Taxonomists endorses “the use of evolution in the scholarship of its members and supports teaching this theory in schools, colleges and universities,” adding, “As educators, we believe that evolution is an essential component of science education. In the absence of an evolutionary context, our understanding of the origin and complexity of the earth’s biodiversity and our ability to realize critical advances in medicine and agriculture would not be possible. Acknowledging our obligations as scientists and educators, we join the many other scientific societies that have endorsed the role of evolution as a unifying principle both in scientific scholarship and science curricula at all educational levels.”
The American Statistical Association, according to its statement, “takes no position on whether intelligent design is right or wrong. Nevertheless, it is clear that intelligent design is not a scientific theory subject to empirical testing, and thus has no place in science education.” It therefore resolved, “Intelligent design should not be taught as part of any science curriculum,” adding, “Further, the Association urges its members to continue to support vigorously those principles of inquiry and verification that characterize sound scientific practice.” (The statement was published in Amstat News, the monthly membership magazine of the ASA, in 2006, and seems not to be presently available on the ASA’s website.)
And the Union for Reform Judaism, noting that “the overwhelming majority of the scientific community, which supports theories that are testable by experiment or observation, oppose treating [’intelligent design’], which is neither, as scientific theory. A 1999 report by the National Academy of Sciences states, ‘Creationism, intelligent design, and other claims of supernatural intervention in the origin of life or of species are not science because they are not testable by the methods of science,” resolved to “[o]ppose government efforts and policies that seek to redefine science or the scientific method to incorporate religious, theological or other theories, including “intelligent design” and creationism, that are neither testable by experiment nor observation.”
Also of interest, although not addressing biological evolution, is a statement by the Affiliation of Christian Geologists on the physical age of the earth and universe, reading, in part, “… the scientific evidence clearly favors a vast age for the earth and the universe. Current scientific calculations indicate that the universe began about 13 billion years ago and the earth about 4.6 billion years ago. These conclusions are based on cumulative evidence and are refined with each new study. … Although Scripture contains essential information on origins that gives meaning and perspective, technical details of the method and timing of creation are not major concerns of the Biblical text, and many orthodox theologians do not see a conflict between the Bible and an old creation.”
All four of these statements are reproduced, by permission, on NCSE’s website, and will also be contained in the fourth edition of NCSE’s Voices for Evolution.
For the ASPT statement, visit:
http://www.aspt.net/society/evolutionstatement/
For the ASA’s website, visit:
http://www.amstat.org/
For the URJ’s statement, visit:
http://urj.org//about/union/governance/reso//?syspage=article&item_id=1943
For the ACG’s statement (PDF), visit:
http://www.wheaton.edu/ACG/ACGstatementv2_1.pdf
And for information about Voices for Evolution, visit:
http://ncse.com/voices
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August 8th, 2010 Bob
OSTA 2010 Fall Staff Development Conference
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Howell Hall, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
Make plans to attend the premier event for Oklahoma Science teachers!
Call For Presentations!
The OSTA Fall Conference is a time to share what you know about teaching and learning science as well as learn new things and grow as a professional. Feel free to share a new technique, a novel use of technology, or findings from your latest summer workshop. Have an upcoming inservice program for science teachers? The OSTA Fall conference is an ideal way to promote your program. Download the call for proposals to submit a proposal to present at the fall conference.
Call for Nominations!
The OSTA Fall conference includes the annual OSTA business meeting. OSTA members are able to vote to elect new members to the OSTA Board of Directors. The OSTA Nominations Committee is now accepting Nominations for the even numbered OSTA regions (2,4, and 6) as well as Treasurer, Middle School Division Director and College/University Division Director. That’s a lot of opportunity to serve and help make a difference in Science Education in Oklahoma. Self Nominations are encouraged! Download the Nominations form here.
OSTA Awards!
OSTA presents annual awards to recognize those among us who have made significant contributions to science education in the state. The Jack Renner Distinguished Service Award is the top award given by OSTA, but other recognition is given annually to Oklahoma Science teachers at the Elementary, Middle Level, High School, and College levels. The OSTA Awards Committee is now accepting award nominations. Download a nomination form here.
Invitation to Exhibitors…
Have a product of interest to science teachers? Have a program that needs advertisement? Does you company or organization offer service of interest to Oklahoma science teachers and schools? Exhibit space is available at reasonable rates. Download the Exhibitors proposal here.
It’s Not Too Early to Register!
Register now and avoid the rush. Pre-conference Early Bird registration is only $45 and includes the OSTA Awards Luncheon and complimentary membership renewal for the next year. Pre-service science teachers can attend for $25 (lunch and complimentary membership included). Early Bird Registration ends October 15th.
OSTA Conference Registration can now made securely, online with your credit card. Payment includes a $3 processing fee. Register Securely Online
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August 3rd, 2010 Bob
OSTA Fall Conference
Saturday, November 6th, 2010
Howell Hall
The University of Central Oklahoma
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