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Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Elementary Weather

In this six week online course we will take a look at learning weather concepts and how to incorporate them into the elementary classroom using hands-on activities. Observing weather patterns from the past, present and future is easy and fun! The principles you learn will apply to air pollution, crop selection and forecasting. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.
In this six week online course we will take a look at learning weather concepts and how to incorporate them into the elementary classroom using hands-on activities. Observing weather patterns from the past, present and future is easy and fun! The principles you learn will apply to air pollution, crop selection and forecasting. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.
In this six week online course we will take a look at learning weather concepts and how to incorporate them into the elementary classroom using hands-on activities. Observing weather patterns from the past, present and future is easy and fun! The principles you learn will apply to air pollution, crop selection and forecasting. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Teaching Middle School Earth System Science

This course uses problem based learning to explore the events and interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The middle school course is composed of 3 modules plus an introduction module. Teachers utilize problem based learning to study both event to sphere interactions as well as sphere to sphere interactions and how one interaction can lead to other interactions.
This course uses problem based learning to explore the events and interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The middle school course is composed of 3 modules plus an introduction module. Teachers utilize problem based learning to study both event to sphere interactions as well as sphere to sphere interactions and how one interaction can lead to other interactions.
This course uses problem based learning to explore the events and interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The middle school course is composed of 3 modules plus an introduction module. Teachers utilize problem based learning to study both event to sphere interactions as well as sphere to sphere interactions and how one interaction can lead to other interactions.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Landforms for Elementary Teachers

In this online course we will investigate landform science. Observing landforms and how they change is fun! We will look at a variety of landscapes and how they came to look like they do. We will model landforms and encourage sharing and discussions of teaching ideas in our course.
In this online course we will investigate landform science. Observing landforms and how they change is fun! We will look at a variety of landscapes and how they came to look like they do. We will model landforms and encourage sharing and discussions of teaching ideas in our course.
In this online course we will investigate landform science. Observing landforms and how they change is fun! We will look at a variety of landscapes and how they came to look like they do. We will model landforms and encourage sharing and discussions of teaching ideas in our course.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: K-14 Earth System Science

Participants will learn to find the Internet's abundant digital Earth Systems Science (ESS) resources and use these resources to create integrated mathematics and science lessons. Emphasis will be on the integration of mathematics, earth systems science, and Internet technology, using discovery and constructivist methods. ESS emphasizes the dynamic interrelationships among changes in the atmosphere, ocean circulation patterns, and environmental processes on and beneath the earth's surface.
Participants will learn to find the Internet's abundant digital Earth Systems Science (ESS) resources and use these resources to create integrated mathematics and science lessons. Emphasis will be on the integration of mathematics, earth systems science, and Internet technology, using discovery and constructivist methods. ESS emphasizes the dynamic interrelationships among changes in the atmosphere, ocean circulation patterns, and environmental processes on and beneath the earth's surface.
Participants will learn to find the Internet's abundant digital Earth Systems Science (ESS) resources and use these resources to create integrated mathematics and science lessons. Emphasis will be on the integration of mathematics, earth systems science, and Internet technology, using discovery and constructivist methods. ESS emphasizes the dynamic interrelationships among changes in the atmosphere, ocean circulation patterns, and environmental processes on and beneath the earth's surface.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Geology of the Moon

Geology of the Moon on-line course is designed for practicing teachers who want to understand more about the Moon and its history and relationship to Earth. We will explore theories for its formation and the geologic processes involved in its evolution, including the differentiation of its layers, volcanic activity, and impact cratering, with each discussion encompassing comparisons between the Earth and Moon.
Geology of the Moon on-line course is designed for practicing teachers who want to understand more about the Moon and its history and relationship to Earth. We will explore theories for its formation and the geologic processes involved in its evolution, including the differentiation of its layers, volcanic activity, and impact cratering, with each discussion encompassing comparisons between the Earth and Moon.
Geology of the Moon on-line course is designed for practicing teachers who want to understand more about the Moon and its history and relationship to Earth. We will explore theories for its formation and the geologic processes involved in its evolution, including the differentiation of its layers, volcanic activity, and impact cratering, with each discussion encompassing comparisons between the Earth and Moon.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Using Local Ecosystems to Implement Biology Activities in the Classroom

In this six-week course you will be introduced to fundamental biological concepts involving the interaction of matter and energy that results in the change of ecosystems. Each week you will be assigned a biological activity that can be incorporated into the science classroom. Student learning will involve cognitive, skill and affective outcomes. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.
In this six-week course you will be introduced to fundamental biological concepts involving the interaction of matter and energy that results in the change of ecosystems. Each week you will be assigned a biological activity that can be incorporated into the science classroom. Student learning will involve cognitive, skill and affective outcomes. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.
In this six-week course you will be introduced to fundamental biological concepts involving the interaction of matter and energy that results in the change of ecosystems. Each week you will be assigned a biological activity that can be incorporated into the science classroom. Student learning will involve cognitive, skill and affective outcomes. Tuition rates for MT residents: $266.50/credit. For more information visit the web site at: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/ntenhome.aspx.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Teaching Evolution

Evolution is a powerful and generative concept that is fundamental to a modern understanding of biology and the natural world. Evolution offers insight into how we came to be, what our future may hold, and how we interact with the living world. However, despite its centrality to modern biology, teaching evolution can be especially challenging.
Evolution is a powerful and generative concept that is fundamental to a modern understanding of biology and the natural world. Evolution offers insight into how we came to be, what our future may hold, and how we interact with the living world. However, despite its centrality to modern biology, teaching evolution can be especially challenging.
Evolution is a powerful and generative concept that is fundamental to a modern understanding of biology and the natural world. Evolution offers insight into how we came to be, what our future may hold, and how we interact with the living world. However, despite its centrality to modern biology, teaching evolution can be especially challenging.

Online Courses: MSU National Teachers Enhancement Network: Plant Science: It Grows on You

This course will look at familiar seeds and their early growth into seedlings (with experimentation with the seedlings). You will grow the little mustard known as Brassica, the Wisconsin Fast Plant. It is called the fast plant because it goes from seed to seedling to mature plant with flowers and fruits, and back to seed, in six weeks. You will keep journals with growth data, answer questions from the instructor based on your journals and the manual, and participate in discussions.
This course will look at familiar seeds and their early growth into seedlings (with experimentation with the seedlings). You will grow the little mustard known as Brassica, the Wisconsin Fast Plant. It is called the fast plant because it goes from seed to seedling to mature plant with flowers and fruits, and back to seed, in six weeks. You will keep journals with growth data, answer questions from the instructor based on your journals and the manual, and participate in discussions.
This course will look at familiar seeds and their early growth into seedlings (with experimentation with the seedlings). You will grow the little mustard known as Brassica, the Wisconsin Fast Plant. It is called the fast plant because it goes from seed to seedling to mature plant with flowers and fruits, and back to seed, in six weeks. You will keep journals with growth data, answer questions from the instructor based on your journals and the manual, and participate in discussions.
 

A love note to education conferences

By Peggy Ashbrook

Posted on 2017-01-26

In my suitcase I have a collapsible jug, tube, funnel, glitter, pebbles, foam hearts, sea shells, and empty plastic bottles—all part of the materials I need for a presentation at the 2017 ECSTEM conference (February 3-4), organized by The Children’s Center at Caltech, in collaboration with THINK Together.

Conference organizers greeting people as they arriveAn education conference is a joyful place where people are seriously planning to help children develop into critical thinkers, future leaders and life-long learners, as well as learn skills and content matter. This kind of professional development connects people who have experience and want discussion around their topic with people who want to learn about it. And it connects education researchers with people who are teachers so their conversation can be mutually beneficial. These connections can extend beyond the conferences and become resources for each of us. Conferences expose us to regional differences in schools, programs and culture, and to the many, many vendors that sell to the education community. Being at a conference as it unfolds gives us new appreciation for our education associations and organizations, for their ability to build a system that can meet many of the needs of a community that is so diverse. I know a conference was time well spent when I feel part of a group that wants a good future for all children; when I’ve learned some new science content; gained insight into how children learn, how adults learn, and how schools can become better at supporting science learning; and have resources and connections to colleagues who I can turn to with questions.

Working together in a session on science and engineering practicesA science education conference is a place for early childhood educators and an early childhood education conference is a place for science educators. We have to show up and contribute to create the conference experience that will benefit our teaching practice and our students. Having a colleague work with me at my first conference presentation (using an overhead projector to share photos of children at work in a science exploration) made this first experience less daunting. Those of us who have been in the profession for longer can partner with newer educators to support their first presentation experience as we learn from them. Any who are able can donate to scholarship programs that pay for conference registrations, housing and travel for those whose programs can’t pay these expenses.

I’m looking forward to the 2017 NSTA national conference in Los Angeles where I’ll participate in the amazing Elementary Extravaganza event and take in as many other sessions as I can! Early bird registration deadline is February 3!

What local, regional, state, or national conference do you recommend?

In my suitcase I have a collapsible jug, tube, funnel, glitter, pebbles, foam hearts, sea shells, and empty plastic bottles—all part of the materials I need for a presentation at the 2017 ECSTEM conference (February 3-4), organized by The Children’s Center at Caltech

 

Writing in Science

By Mary Bigelow

Posted on 2017-01-25

I’m looking for ideas to incorporate writing into my general biology classes. I’ve tried term papers but many of my students struggled and it took a lot of class time. Any ideas for other relevant writing assignments?  —V., Ohio

Writing in science has alternatives to traditional term papers or reports. Rather than making a formal writing project an “event” in class, it might be beneficial for students to experience how communicating information is an everyday science practice (as described in the Next Generation Science Standards).

A museum herpetologist told a group of teachers that although his research focused on snakes in their environments, a good portion of his time was spent writing—notes, memos, observations, summaries, reports, journal articles, blog entries, and letters. So if you have students write lab reports, make journal entries, summarize their learning, contribute to a class blog, take their own notes, or respond to open-ended items on an assessment, you’re already helping students with the focused type of writing used in science and engineering.

You can’t assume that students have the writing skills they need (especially for a term paper or formal report). You can teach students about writing, but the best way to develop skills is to have them write through planned and purposeful activities in class. Modeling is essential. Show students what effective science writing looks like (incorporating both words and graphics). Show them examples of ineffective writing and ask them to clarify it. Do a “think-aloud” as you write along with the students. Show them the value of text structures such as bulleted or numbered lists, headings, or tables.

When students display or share their writing in the classroom or with the community through a webpage or other publications, having an authentic audience adds another dimension of relevancy.

I’m looking for ideas to incorporate writing into my general biology classes. I’ve tried term papers but many of my students struggled and it took a lot of class time. Any ideas for other relevant writing assignments?  —V., Ohio

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