Advanced Placement* Summer Institute at OU

Advanced Placement* Summer Institute

University of Oklahoma

July 8-11, 2013

The University of Oklahoma  Advanced Placement* Summer Institute for teachers is offered by Community and International Training and Development (CITD), a College of Continuing Education department at the University of Oklahoma, The College Board and The Oklahoma Department of Education.

New and experienced AP* and Pre-AP* teachers will gather on the University of Oklahoma campus and spend a week exploring the latest methods and curriculum topics in all aspects of AP course content, organization and methodology.  Teachers will conclude their Institute experience at OU with renewed enthusiasm for the Advanced Placement Program* and equipped with new ideas and resource materials to use in their classrooms.

SUBJECTS OFFERED (Each subject will include new and experienced teachers combined)                                                                                       

AP* Biology

AP* Calculus AB

AP* Language

AP* Literature

AP* Math High School

AP* Spanish Language & Culture

AP* U.S. History

Pre-AP* English Middle School

Pre-AP* English High School (2 sections)

Pre-AP* Math Middle School

Pre-AP* Social Studies

WHAT TO BRING:  Refer to specific course descriptions  to determine what to bring, prepare, etc.   You will be receiving textbooks and classroom materials so we do encourage all participants to bring a backpack or tote bag.   All participants need to come prepared for surprise, inclement weather and also need to be prepared to walk to any scheduled activity outside of the main building.  

WHERE:  All classes, except biology, are held on the University of Oklahoma campus (Thurman J. White Forum Building), 1704 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK.  You can locate the Forum building on the OU map (# 128) at http://www.ou.edu/admrec/1pgmap.pdf.  Biology is held in a lab in Richards Hall (on main campus), room 167, 730 Van Vleet Oval.  Richards Hall is #58A on the OU map.

WHEN:  Monday through Thursday, July 8-11, 2013, 8a.m. – 4:30p.m.

PARKING:  Free parking is available in the lot located southeast of the Forum building.  Parking passes will be issued when participants check in for the Institute on Monday morning.  Those participating in the Biology class will receive a temporary permit for the parking garage located near Richards Hall during the opening session on Monday morning.

MEALS:  A morning snack and lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.  Beverages will be provided each afternoon.  An ATM and vending machine area is located in the center of the Forum building for your convenience.  Participants will be responsible for all other meals.

CERTIFICATES:  100% attendance is required in order to be issued a certificate at the end of the Institute.  Attendance will be taken at various times each day and will be used to verify your record of attendance.  No exceptions allowed.

ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE BASIS OF A DISABILITY:  The College of Continuing Education is committed to making its activities as accessible as possible.  The College and the University provide a range of services to persons with disabilities.  If you anticipate a need for some of these services, please contact Sammi Fields at (405) 325-5101 or by email atsammif@ou.edu.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  We are very fortunate that the Oklahoma State Department of Education is able to cover the $640 institute fee for Oklahoma public school teachers (commuter or double-occupancy hotel resident).  Please do not abuse this opportunity.

 If you register, but then find that you must cancel, your cancellation must be provided in writing to sammif@ou.edu or fax to (405) 325-0860.  Your cancellation must be received in writing before June 24th (two weeks prior to the beginning of the institute start date).  We often have people on waiting lists who would love to attend and have access to all of the wonderful information and materials that are distributed during the week.  Due to waiting lists, participants who find they cannot attend will not be allowed to substitute themselves with a different teacher.  Participants who do not cancel before June 24th or fail to attend the Institute will be personally billed the $640 registration fee and the State Department of Oklahoma will be notified. 

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AP Biology Leadership Academy Cohort Two

Currently Accepting Applications for Cohort Two
Application Deadline – April 19, 2013

Participation

Participating in the Academy will go beyond simply building on the knowledge and skills that you already possess—the Academy is designed to help you stop, rethink, and redesign your ideas about teaching and learning biology, while also preparing to lead others in this process.

Commitment

Because of the deep knowledge base and skill set you will develop during the AP Biology Leadership Academy, we require a two-year program commitment that includes the following:

• Participation in a five and a half day Summer Institute each year, held at BSCS in Colorado Springs, CO. In 2013, the Summer Institute will be held July 28 through August 2. Participants will have input into the dates for 2014.
• Attendance at two NABT Professional Development Conferences (19-23 November, 2013 in Atlanta, GA and 2014 in Cleveland, OH).
• Agreement to engage in ongoing online interactions throughout the program.
• A willingness to plan and conduct professional development workshops for other teachers.
• Assisting BSCS in collecting evaluation data about the program.

Costs

The 2013-2014 Academy is a fee-based program with a tuition cost set at $1500 per person per year plus travel expenses to the Institutes and to the NABT conferences. If you or your district is not able to provide this fee, we will offer an information packet that helps you learn more about obtaining local sponsorship from organizations or businesses. We anticipate that there will be a very limited number of scholarships available.

Apply Now

Applications are due by April 19, 2013.

Please contact Leadership Academy Director Brooke Bourdélat-Parks with any questions.

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Spring and Summer- Earth, Life, and Physical Science

NABT Conference Proposals Due March 15th


March 15th is quickly approaching and so is the deadline to submit proposals for the 2013 Professional Development Conference. We know you have some great ideas and strategies to share with your colleagues, and you know there is no better audience than at the NABT Conference. Over 150 biology and life science education sessions will be featured from November 20-23 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Will your session be among them?

Biology education is heading in some exciting directions, and the NABT Professional Development Committee is encouraging session proposals focused on the Next Generation Science Standards, the AP Biology course, and Vision & Change. The committee is also particularly interested in workshop sessions designed to help educators develop new and rework current assessments to reflect the implementation of these initiatives. 

All proposals must be submitted online at http://www.nabt.org/submissions/nabt2013 by Friday, March 15th to be considered. Only regular sessions will be accepted at this site. All special workshop proposals are being accepted at 2013 Special Workshops. 

Proposals will be reviewed by the NABT Professional Development Committee and acceptance confirmations will be emailed to primary presenters by April 30, 2013. Please contact NABT at conference@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x105 with any questions related to the 2013 NABT Conference.

Help NABT Bring Biology Day To NSTA Area Conferences

 NABT is proud to once again offer a full day of biology and life science sessions at the 2013 NSTA Area Conferences. Proposals are being accepted for NABT Biology Day and we invite you to submit online at http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=654.

NSTA Area Conferences will be held in:

• Portland, OR: October 24 – 26 (NABT Biology Day October 25th)
• Charlotte, NC: November 7 -9 (NABT Biology Day November 8th)
• Denver, CO: December 12 -14 (NABT Biology Day December 13th)

All presenters must register for the NSTA Area Conference they will be attending. Only proposals submitted directly to NABT will be considered for Biology Day. 

NABT Biology Day proposals must be submitted by 5pm Eastern on February 25th to be considered. Please contact Jacki Reeves-Pepin at jreevespepin@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x 102 with questions.

Regional Workshop Opportunity:
 Scientific Explanations 

The Colorado Biology Teachers Association (CBTA), with help from Team Colorado of the AP Biology Leadership Academy, will host a full day workshop designed for middle and high school teachers. This event will be held on March 2nd at Broomfield High School in Broomfield, Colorado. 

Program participants will explore strategies and techniques for helping students formulate questions, analyze data, evaluate evidence and write a scientific explanation. They will conduct lab investigations, and use an “explanation tool” and assessment rubrics to learn how to seamlessly scaffold these ideas into their instruction. Free resources will also be available!

The cost is $10 and anyone is welcome to attend. Light continental breakfast and lunch is included in the cost. CDE Recertification Certificate of Attendance will be provided, and 0.5 Adams State College Graduate Credit is available for an additional fee.

Space is limited and please visit CBTA/AP Bio Academy Workshop to register. 

The NABT/BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy is made possible with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pearson Foundation and Richard Petritz Foundation.

Nominations Now Open For PAEMST

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. 

A number of NABT members have been recognized with this award. You know great teachers (including yourself), so please nominate them!

Recipients of the award receive the following:

• A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science (including computer science), the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive. 

The 2013 Presidential Awards will honor mathematics and science teachers working in grades 7-12. Nominations can be made online at https://www.paemst.org/nomination/nominate until April 1, 2013.

HHMI Releases EarthViewer

What did Earth’s continents and oceans look like 250 million years ago, or 1 billion years ago? Can we say anything about Earth’s climate as far back as our planet’s origin? Now your fingertips can scroll through Earth history for the last 4.5 billion years! 

The HHMI EarthViewer App is like a time machine for exploring the deep history of planet Earth. And because it’s from HHMI, you know this tool is based on the latest scientific research.

Follow a favorite location, be it Greenland, New York City, or your school, as it makes an incredible journey throughout Earth’s history. Layer views of shifting continents with data such as atmospheric composition, temperature, biodiversity, day length, and solar luminosity.

Features include:

• Data and continental reconstructions dating back billions of years
• Climate and carbon dioxide data for the last 100 years
• The ability to manipulate the globe and zoom to any location
• Track the location of modern cities back over 500 million years
• In depth features on major geological and biological events in Earth history
• Clickable details on geologic eons, eras, and periods
• Automated play modes
• An extensive reference list
• Suggestions for classroom use
• Tutorial videos

EarthViewer is available a free download from the Apple App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/jo/app/earthviewer/id590208430

Eric Lander Offers Free Intro Bio Course On edX

Eric Lander, one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project, is hosting an introductory biology course on edX, the not-for-profit online learning initiative founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 7.00x – The Secret of Life will let you explore the mysteries of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and genomics, and rational medicine. 

Although this course has been designed exclusively for edX, the course content reflects the topics Lander has taught in the MIT introductory biology courses for many years. Students will complete this course in 12 weeks. At the center of each week is a series of lecture sequences that are supported by interactive video tutorials and interspersed exercises or problems. Additionally, students will work on a homework assignment or exam each week. The course will conclude with a comprehensive final exam.

The course is not just for the traditional students, but also educators and scientists who work in the biomedical/health care professions who need a refresher on the most cutting edge biology and genetics. The only prerequisite is a desire to learn.

Enrollment for this free edX course is available at https://www.edx.org/courses/MITx/7.00x/2013_Spring/about. The course starts on March 5th.

2013 CHANCE Panama Program Now Open 

Work side-by-side Smithsonian Researchers in the Tropical Ecosystems of Panama and help save endangered sea turtles! The 2013 CHANCE program consists of two courses, Global Climate Change: Sustainability of Select Tropical and Aquatic Ecosystems (online, March 21 – May 31, 2013) and A Field Course in Panama (June 28 – July 14, 2013), which work together to promote environmental literacy on the topics of biodiversity, sustainability, and global climate change. 

Through online instruction during part the spring semester, all participants will engage in learning opportunities and lessons which will enhance their knowledge in the biodiversity of the ecosystems to be explored (jungles, mangroves, sea grasses, and coral reefs), the science behind global climate change, historic events that surround the Panama canal and the creation of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and the indigenous people of Panama. The field practicum will provide real-world research and conservation experiences (lasting two and one-half weeks) at STRI research facilities, which focus on the effects of global climate change on ecosystem biodiversity and dynamics. A highlight of this trip will be working with nesting leatherback and green sea turtles so as to help sustain these endangered animals.

Teachers seeking graduate credits or CEU hours or simply an enriching professional development field program without paying tuition credits (only program costs are due), please apply!

For more information contact Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin at jxm57@psu.edu and visit the 2013 CHANCE Panama website at http://www.chance.psu.edu/fieldcourses/panama2013/index.html.

NABT is a proud sponsor of the CHANCE Program.

Teachers Invited To Bay Institute In Rhode Island

Save The Bay’s Bay Institute For Experiential Learning brings together formal and informal educators from around the country for four days of innovative professional development programming set in one of the nation’s most distinct and rich environments. Join leading ocean scientists and educators for a curriculum focused on human history and ecological change that combines exciting on-the-water and shoreline field experiences with traditional coursework to enhance participants’ content knowledge in marine studies, climate science, environmental sustainability, and related disciplines. Participants explore the Narragansett Bay watershed and learn about ongoing advocacy efforts – all while gaining valuable insight into their own local ecosystems. 

The Bay Institute will be held from Tuesday, June 25th to Friday, June 28th at Save The Bay “Green” Center at Fields Point in Providence, Rhode Island This year’s theme is “Human History and Ecological Change: How has human history influenced the natural history of your place? How to make sustainable decisions that lead to a healthier future.” 

The registration price is $500 and includes a “Welcome dinner” on Monday June 24th, bagged lunches on all four days of workshop, “Finale dinner” on Thursday, June 27, 2013 and pick-up and drop-off by boat from the hotel. Space is very limited, so register soon.

Visit http://www.savebay.org/bayinstitute for more information and complete registration instructions.

The Sun-Earth Days webcast  is a month away and we have added some new ways to participate.

The live webcast for Sun-Earth Day 2013 from Wallops is scheduled for Friday, March 22 at 1 pm; follow the  updates on the rotating banner on the home page:  http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

Get Involved: Two Flickr Groups have been added: one for AA certificate Challenge and general image uploads, and another for the Anime Contest

• Anime contest:  http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/solarmax/contest.php
• Amateur Astronomer Certificate Challenge:  http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/getinvolved/aa.php
• Social Media Connections:  http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/solarmax/socialmedia.php

Celebrate Sun-Earth Days: Solar Max, Storm Warning

Annual Equinox Celebration: March 22, 2013

“Sun-Earth Day is comprised of a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year culminating with a celebration on or near the Spring Equinox. Each year we wrap a fresh new thematic approach around Sun-Earth science while highlighting Heliophysics scientists, their missions, and research.”

This year’s theme is ‘Solar Max – Storm Warning!’ We will prepare you to explore the violent nature of our Sun at the peak of solar activity and share discoveries that come from NASA’s heliophysics missions during this exciting period.

This website will continue to be populated with the latest information about our upcoming programs, background resources, and sample activities. Be sure to join our social media network for the latest information and images

Other celestial events to observe will include:

• 1/3 – 1/4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower.
• 3/20: March Equinox
• 4/21 – 4/22: Lyrids Meteor Shower.
• 4/25: Partial Lunar Eclipse.
• 4/28: Saturn at Opposition.
• 5/5 – 5/6: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower.
• 5/10: Annular Solar Eclipse.
• 5/25: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
• 5/28: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
• View more upcoming events!

Sun-Earth Days Resources:

In collaboration with partners that include science centers and museums around the world, Heliophysics missions, NASA Edge, NASA Educator Resource Centers, professional Societies, Amateur Astronomers and others, we produce webcasts, other multi-media, and print resources for use by school and informal educators nation-wide and internationally. We provide training and professional development to K-12 educators, museum personnel, amateur astronomers, Girl Scout leaders, etc., so they can implement their own outreach programs taking advantage of our resources. A coordinated approach promotes multiple programs occurring each year under a common theme.

This year we will answer the following questions:
Solar Max effects on all technology and humans

• What would happen if there was another super storm?
• What happens on other planets?
• How much advance warning is there for a storm from the sun?
• What would happen on the Moon/Mars?
• What can we learn from the Aurora?
• Where can aurora be seen?-Other planets?

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Waiting for the Last Minute? It’s Here!

It’s time to check your schedule and finalize plans to be in attendance at the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference

“Saving The World Through Science”

First and foremost, this is the best science staff development conference you will find in Oklahoma this year.  Second, the conference agenda brings together some of the most relevant topics for science teachers that you will find anywhere at any time.

Want to learn about the Next Generation Science Standards?  Learn about it here, from Vanessa Westbrook, one of the NGSS writers!

How about Forensic Science?  At Saving the World Through Science you can learn from professors who teach the top Forensic Science school in the country at UCO!

Wondering about how to work with students in studying glocal Climate change?  Learn from climate scientists who are actively engage in climate research at the University of Oklahoma!

Need to know how scientists determine the age of ancient artifact through radiometric dating?  Learn about the techniques and process from a scientist that does the work himself!

Trying to implement  the Common Core State Standards ELA guidelines for science, social studies and technical fields into your course work?  See how science graduate students at OU utilize these same recommendations as tools to develop effective communication and writing skills in the science research they produce.

Need more information of the AP Biology redesign, yep, we got that too!

Look at the OSTA Conference Agenda below.  From keynote address to one hour sessions, to two half-day institutes, OSTA’s Saving the World Through Science promises to be a full day of fantastics learning experiences that will reap dividends for you and your students.

Don’t forget the OSTA Awards Reception at the Zoo on Friday evening at 6:30 PM.  Help honor the recipients of the Annual OSTA Awards and mingle with science education leaders from around the state and nation!  Sign up when you register.  Thanks to generous contributions from the OKC Zoo and Pearson, the Awards reception is now FREE!  Details are found here.

Click the link to register for the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference.  The  special pre-conference rate has been extended until November 8th!

 Register Securely Online

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Sam Rhine Genetics Education Conferences Coming to Oklahoma

Sam Rhine has crossed the country for 30+ years presenting the latest genetic information for high school students and their teachers.  He has also spoken to audiences in Toronto, Montreal, Tokyo, Vienna, Prague, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Nairobi, Kenya.

The student participants at these conferences generally come from Biology and A.P. Biology classes, but many students who have completed their Life Science classes also attend.  Students who are college bound, who are in pre-professional tracts or who are Science Olympiads will find the conference to be especially significant.  Many teachers bring Honors and Gifted and Talented junior high school students.  Every presentation begins with a review of the ‘basics’ so younger students need not worry about being lost all day.

School administrators recognize the day as an educational field trip or a career opportunity day.  Students have a unique chance to hear one of the top educators in the country present the most recent genetic information.  These conferences attract the most motivated students, and many of those students attend the conference in successive years because the topics change from year to year.

Sam will be the Saturday morning Keynote speaker at National Association of Biology Teachers national convention in Dallas…..November 1 - 4, 2012.

His talk is entitled:  “Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine”

Topics for 2012-2013 Conferences:

I.  Genetics of Common Human Conditions and their Multifactorial / Polygenicorogins.

A.  Most Cytogenetic and Mendelian human conditions are relatively rare

B.  This conference will look at the polygenic nature of common conditions:

Height,  Weight,  Blood Pressure,  Blood Glucose Level, IQ, et.al.

C.  And common medical conditions with polygenic etiologies:

Hypertension,  Obesity,  Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes,  Asthma,  Autism Spectrum, et.al.

D.  We will focus on using the data from the Human Genome Project to locate Millions of markers within the genome we can use to find those polygenes and discuss the future use of those markers for personalized medicine.

E.  Adult and prenatal screening in the future…..would you want to know?

II.  Cloning and Stem Cell Update

A.  Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning Technology

B.  Embryonic Stem Cells  /  Adult Stem Cells  /  induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

C.  Utilization of these cells for: disease modeling, disease therapy screening, cell replacement and regenerative medicine.

D.  Use of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue as cellular ‘pharmacies’ to deliver therapeutic trophic factors with no rejection.

E.  Cancer Stem Cells – when the founder cell is a stem cell – cancer tumorigenesis and therapy!

Genetic Update Conference – November 15, 2012 at 9:00am to 1:00pm

Host: Steve Stark & Bob Melton – Putnam City HS Science Department

• Pre Register Online Now
• View the GUC Agenda
• Download the Conference Notes
• Map and Directions to Conference

Cost: $20 (USD) per person (teachers and/or students – includes notes outlining the topics
of the day).

Payment: Due on the day of the program. Payment may be made by cash or check. All checks should be made payable to Sam Rhine, NOT your school or the host school. The teacher-in-charge should collect the appropriate amount and present it at registration on the date of the conference.

You may register between 8:30 and 9:00 on the day of the confernce.

___________________________

Genetic Update Conference – November 16, 2012 at 9:00am to 1:00pm

Host: Diana Spencer, Ph.D. – Biotechnology Coordinator at TCC-SEC

• Pre Register Online Now
• View the GUC Agenda
• Download the Conference Notes
• Map and Directions to Conference

Cost: $20 (USD) per person (teachers and/or students – includes notes outlining the topics
of the day).

Payment: Due on the day of the program. Payment may be made by cash or check. All checks should be made payable to Sam Rhine, NOT your school or the host school. The teacher-in-charge should collect the appropriate amount and present it at registration on the date of the conference.

You may register between 8:30 and 9:00 on the day of the confernce.

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Countdown to Conference: Speaker Highlight

The 2012 NABT Professional Development Conference is just a few weeks away, and we’re excited to feature some great speakers. Don’t miss NABT is Dallas. Register today at NABT registration.

General Sessions:

 Thursday, November 1st, 8:45 am – 9:45 am, Landmark Ballroom A-B 
 Ellen Prager, Ph.D.
President, Earth2Ocean, Inc., Miami, FL

 Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter 
Dr. Prager will present entertaining and informative stories and images from her newest book on marine biodiversity. She will highlight the amazing strategies organisms use to survive and reproduce in the sea and how they are connected to society in everything from our food supply to the economy, jobs, and in biomedical research and biotechnology. From the tiny voracious arrow worms whose predatory ways may lead to death by overeating to the hagfish that ties itself into a knot to keep from suffocating in its own slime, Prager will provide an engaging ocean tell-all and a realistic look at why we all should care about the loss of species in the sea. She will also discuss the threats to marine biodiversity and what’s needed to better protect ocean life.

Friday, November 2nd, 8:45 am – 9:45 am, Landmark Ballroom A-B
 Shirley Malcom, Ph.D.
Head, Education and Human Resources, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

 Re-thinking Biology Education from the Grassroots Up 
What should our goals be for biology education in the 21st century? This question has been the subject of discussion and debate across a number of reform/transformation initiatives, including Vision and Change (V&C) and the AP Biology Course.

Dr. Malcom will highlight how the need to transform biology education is not just a recently recognized challenge. Well over 20 years ago, the late science educator, Dr. Mary Budd Rowe estimated that there were more new terms introduced in a typical high school biology text than in the first two years of a foreign language. Assessment around biology centered on small objectives that Rowe referred to as the “unassembling of the most fantastic feature of science—its stories, its patterns,” leading to what she described as “a denudement of everything that’s rich and fun and beautiful.” 

Those courses that are focused on coverage of topics are often used by those who would become teachers to satisfy science requirements. This has led to a vicious cycle of “teach as we are taught.”

In moving toward a goal of having “the biology we teach reflect the biology we do,” Dr. Malcom will discuss the concepts to be taught, the skills and competencies to be emphasized, and the efforts that are needed to move biology education into the 21st century.

• Presented as part of the NABT Faculty Professional Development Summit: Moving from Vision to Change: 21st Century Transformation of the Undergraduate Biology Classroom.


Saturday, November 3rd, 8:45 am – 9:45 am, Landmark Ballroom A-B 
 William F. McComas,  Ph.D.
Parks Family Professor of Science Education
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

 Darwin’s Mad Dream: What Error and Invention Can Tell Us about How Science Works
 Darwin’s “Mad Dream” as he put it refers to pangenesis, an idea he proposed to describe the rules of inheritance and explain the source of new variation. These conceptions were vital to evolution by natural selection. Beyond historians of biology, few others are familiar with pangenesis because it was ultimately shown to be inaccurate and represents one of Darwin’s few errors. As Dr. McComas shows us, the case of pangenesis is not interesting just because it was incorrect, but because the account of its development provides an interesting case study into how science works and offers a rare glimpse into Darwin’s thinking and personality. Pangenesis can illustrate important “nature of science” ideas such as the need for empirical evidence, the use of inductive reasoning, the creative component of science, the role of bias and subjectivity, social and personal influences on science, and the notion that scientific knowledge is tentative but durable, and ultimately self correcting.

• NABT is proud to feature Dr. William McComas as the Tenth Annual Christine Chantry Memorial Speaker.

Invited Speaker Sessions:

Thursday, November 1st, 11:30 am –12:45 pm, Reunion A-B
 Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D. 
 Director of Microbiology at NASA – Johnson Space Center, Houston TX

 Human Spaceflight: Risks and Benefits 
Human spaceflight has the ability to inspire the human spirit as few endeavors can. However, it is not without risks. Dr. Duane Pierson serves as NASA’s Chief Microbiologist and is expert on the many microbiological aspects of space flight. He will explain how risks associated with microbiology in closed environments are identified and strategies for mitigation are developed. 

Space is a hostile environment that causes various adverse effects on human physiology including changes in: musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immunity, and others. In addition to changes to the humans, Dr. Pierson will discuss changes to the microorganisms that accompany all human spaceflight missions. At the cellular level, there are changes to mammalian cells as well as the human microbiota. Gene expression is altered. Some bacteria become much more virulent in the space environment issuing new challenges of the infectious disease risks.

• Presented as part of the ASM Symposium: Microbes: Evolution and Life at the Extremes.

Friday, November 2nd, 10:00 am –11:15 am, Reunion A-B 
Robert Dennison 
Retired Biology Teacher

 A Guest Appearance by Charles Darwin
 Come see and hear Charles Darwin, the greatest biologist in history. Mr. Darwin will appear, in person, to discuss his life and works, with special emphasis on the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle and the development of the ideas presented in The Origin of Species. Time will be allowed for questions and photographs. Bring a camera and have someone take your picture with Charles Darwin.

• Sponsored by the Texas Association of Biology Teachers (TABT).

Friday, November 2nd, 2:00 pm –3:15 pm, Reunion A-B
 Stephen Secor, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

 The Python: Mystery of Nature, Model of Science
 Pythons possess an unprecedented capacity to alter their physiological performance during the digestion of a meal. Upon the completion of digestion, pythons shut down their digestive tracts to conserve energy during bouts of fasting. Feeding triggers the rapid growth of tissues and organs, dramatic increases in metabolic rate and blood flow, and the initiation of digestive processes. During Dr. Secor’s presentation, he will describe the adaptive interplay between snake feeding habits and digestive physiology, why snakes vary in their responses to feeding and fasting, and the existence of this relationship among reptiles and amphibians. He will also highlight the python’s integrated regulation of gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal functions, and the mechanisms used to regulate intestinal performance. Lastly, Dr. Secor will discuss the Burmese python as a model to examine mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and microvillus lengthening, to explore the dynamics of gut bacteria, and to discover a novel process that removes ingested calcium.

• Sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS)

Saturday, November 3nd, 10:00 am –11:15 am, Reunion A-B 
Sam Rhine 
Genetic Educator and Speaker

Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine 
Mr. Rhine will present an overview of the basic biology of current stem cell technologies including their connections with both reproductive and therapeutic cloning. Special attention will focus on the distinctions among ESCs (embryonic stem cells) derived from human embryos; ASCs (adult stem cells) derived from adult human bone marrow, umbilical cord, placenta, adipose and/or amniocentesis; and iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) derived from human somatic cells such as skin or blood in vitro. The normal embryonic origin of these cells and their in vitro derivations will be discussed with special emphasis on their epigenetic determinants. Potential medical applications of these cells include: cell replacement therapy, human disease modeling, therapeutic drug screening and production of cells for regenerative medicine will also be discussed. There will be special emphasis on MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells), adult stem cells, which have unique therapeutic properties. He will conclude with a look at ‘Cancer Stem Cells’ and their role in tumor formation and therapy.

BELS Benefit Dinner:

Friday, November 2nd, 7:00 pm –10:15 pm, Reunion A-B, Cost $95 
Michael Pollan 
John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California Berkley, Berkley, CA 

NABT is proud to feature best-selling author and journalist Michael Pollan during a special dinner event benefiting the NABT Biology Educator Leadership Scholarship (BELS). For the past twenty-five years, Michael Pollan has been writing award winning books and articles about the places where nature and culture intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in the built environment. Mr. Pollan is the author of titles including The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Food Rules. He will be awarded the 2012 NABT Distinguished Service Award. Join us as Pollan talks about his books, your dinner, and whatever else comes to mind at this event moderated by NABT’s own Dr. Elizabeth Cowles. Questions from the audience are encouraged, and bring your books for a private signing to follow.

• The Biology Educator Leadership Scholarship (BELS) is made possible through the generous support of PASCO scientific and NABT member donation. The dinner speaker is made possible with consideration from BSCS.

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Draft Program Posted for NABT in Dallas!

The draft program for the 2012 NABT Professional Development Conference has been posted online at 2012 NABT Program. Please note that the program is not complete and details are subject to change. 

There is no other conference or location that can offer the same depth of content and teaching practice for biology and life science educators. Take a look at the notable programs that you can only experience at the NABT Professional Development Conference, including speakers, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops that will enhance your teaching and engage your students. 

If your session was accepted, please review the program for time, location and other important details. In fact, look for your name anyway just in case. Please contact NABT at conference@nabt.org no later than August 31st if you need to make an update or change to your description/presenter listing. 

All conference presenters must be registered by August 17th to be included in the program. Make sure you are registered for the conference by visiting 2012 NABT Registration.

Everything is larger than life in Texas, and the NABT Conference is no different. We look forward to seeing you in Dallas!

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National Association Of Biology Teachers Honors Award Winning Author for His Contributions to Biology Education

Michael Pollan Named 2012 Recipient of The Distinguished Service Award

The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) is proud to announce that Mr. Michael Pollan, teacher, best selling author and award winning journalist, has been named the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award for Enhancing Education through Biological Research. This award will be presented at 2012 NABT Professional Development Conference in Dallas, TX during the Biology Educator Leadership Scholarship (BELS) Benefit Dinner. Mr. Pollan will also be a featured guest at this event, where he will be interacting with the audience in a moderated interview and Q&A type session.

“Michael Pollan is incredibly talented at helping people connect culture and biology through popular scientific literature that appeals and informs readers at all life-stages,” said Donald P. French, President of NABT (and a Professor of Zoology at Oklahoma State University). “His books, presentations, teaching and related media productions inspire, inform, and encourage the public to pursue a greater understanding of their connection to the natural world, and the importance of nature, biology and biology education in their own lives and their children’s future. I am very proud of this opportunity for NABT to honor Mr. Pollan with our Distinguished Service Award.”



The NABT Distinguished Service Award was established in 1988 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the association. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals for the significant contribution that their work has made to the field of biology education. Notable winners of the award include Lynn Margulis, James Watson, Stephen Jay Gould, Francis Collins, E.O. Wilson, Sean Carroll, Ken Miller, Richard Dawkins, and Neil Shubin.

”If America is ever going to repair its relations with the natural world, it will be because biology teachers have prepared the ground of understanding in our young people. The thought that they might find some of my work useful in their work is both humbling and thrilling. I can’t imagine a more meaningful honor.” said Michael Pollan.

For the past twenty-five years, Michael Pollan has been writing award winning books and articles about the places where nature and culture intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in the built environment. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers: Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual (2010); In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (2008); The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (2006) and The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World (2001). The Omnivore’s Dilemma was named one of the ten best books of 2006 by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. It also won the California Book Award, the Northern California Book Award, the James Beard Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. The Botany of Desire received the Borders Original Voices Award for the best non-fiction work of 2001, and was recognized as a best book of the year by the American Booksellers Association and Amazon.com. Pollan is also the author of A Place of My Own (1997) and Second Nature (1991).

Pollan was named to the 2010 TIME 100, the magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people. In 2009 he was named by Newsweek as one of the top 10 “New Thought Leaders.” A contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine since 1987, his writing has received numerous awards: he was a finalist for the National Magazine Award in 2009 for best essay; he received the James Beard Award for best magazine series in 2003; the John Burroughs prize in 1997 for best natural history essay; the QPB New Vision Award for his first book, Second Nature; the 2000 Reuters-I.U.C.N. Global Award for Environmental Journalism for his reporting on genetically modified crops; the 2003 Humane Society of the United States’ Genesis Award for his writing on animal agriculture; the 2008 Truth in Agricultural Journalism Award from the American Corngrowers Association; the 2009 President’s Citation Award from the American Institute of Biological Sciences, and the 2009 Voices of Nature Award from the Natural Resources Defense Council. In 2009, he appeared in a two-hour PBS special based on The Botany of Desire as well as in the documentary, Food Inc., which received an Academy Award nomination.

In 2003, Pollan was appointed the John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, and the director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism. In addition to teaching, he lectures widely on food, agriculture, health and the environment.

Nothing complements the NABT Conference experience like the special workshops, meal functions and field trips that make the meeting truly memorable. Tickets are now available online and can be added to your registration. Space is limited.



Special Workshops: Sometimes, a 75-minute session just isn’t enough time to cover a complex topic. NABT Special Workshops highlight expert teachers who address advanced topics in biology education.



Meal Functions: A biology teacher cannot live on knowledge alone. From section breakfasts to luncheons to the BELS Benefit Dinner featuring Micheal Pollan, NABT makes sure you have real food as well as brain food.



Field Trips: Adventures abound at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden and Trinity River Audubon Center.



Time is running out for you to register before the Advance Registration deadline of October 15th. Don’t miss out on these special savings!

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BSCS / NABT AP Biology Leadership Academy – Applications Due Soon!

We are currently accepting applications for the first NABT/BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy. The first Academy is limited to 50 participants. Applications are due by 25 May 2012.

• The supervisor signature form must be received for an application to be considered.
• Participating in the academy requires a two year commitment.
• Direct costs for participants total $375 per year, which includes an annual NABT membership.
• Participant support costs total $2500 per year and can be covered by sponsoring organizations or schools.

AP Biology Leadership Academy Overview

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HHMI Announces New AP Biology Teacher Guide To BioInteractive Resources

In this detailed guide, written by Ann Brokaw of Rocky River High School in Ohio, all the resources on the HHMI Holiday Lectures DVDs and BioInteractive website that fit the new AP Biology Curriculum Framework are correlated to specific Big Ideas, Enduring Understandings, and Essential Knowledge threads. In addition, each resource in the guide is hyperlinked so you can just click and watch! This guide joins five others that identify all BioInteractive and Holiday Lecture resources that fall under specific topics like biotechnology, gene regulation, and immunology.

Visit www.biointeractive.org/guides for more information.

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