Science Education

Opportunities

 

Opportunity for Science Teachers this Summer

If you or any teachers you know were considering taking the Discover Carolina Summer Field Course, please be aware that 2010 will likely be the last time this course is ever offered.  Our grant funding ends this year and the severe budget cuts to state agencies have made it very unlikely that the park service would be able to cover future course expenses.

Discover Carolina is a standards-based program developed by the South Carolina State Park Service that focuses on both the human and natural history of South Carolina as highlighted through various state park programs.  This two-week summer course travels from the mountains to the sea stopping at ten different state parks along the way, and carries 3 units of graduate credit from Clemson University. A $200 course fee is charged; most other expenses are covered either by SC LIFE or the State Park Service. 

Explore barrier islands, archaeological dig sites, historical parks and plantations, the Riverbanks Zoo, mountain streams, and midland's rivers as you travel across the state during a two-week adventure.  A typical day in the Upstate may include identifying vegetation layers in a cove forest at the Oconee Station State Historic Site. A typical day along the coast may include visits to old rice fields at Hampton Plantation State Park.  Participants should be prepared for short hikes and hot weather. Evening sessions include map and aerial photographic studies highlighting changes in human and natural history over time.  Participants must submit two course relevant standards-based lesson plans (due July 30) and agree to implement some SC LIFE and/or Discover Carolina activities in their classrooms during the 2010-2011 school year.

For further information (or to sign up) contact Jackie Gourdin at Clemson University <jackieg@clemson.edu> (864) 656-1560.

NABT BioClub

Maybe you are not aware of the new adventure begun by the National Association of Biology Teachers called BioClub.  This project just started with this school year, and it was designed by high school biology teachers. Carolina Biological Supply is helping to support the BioClub project and they are offering a $100.00 gift certificate to all BioClub faculty sponsors. Additionally they are sponsoring a $500.00 book scholarship to a graduating senior of a BioClub.  Additionally, at the NABT annual conference in Memphis of this year they are helping to sponsor a BioClub reception to help introduce this exciting endeavor. You can either start a new biology (science) club at your school and be a member of the BioClub or, if you already have such a club in place, keep that club intact and become a BioClub chapter. Give some consideration to joining this absolutely wonderful project by becoming a BioClub faculty sponsor.  It will help your students, and it will help add some excitement to your teaching.  Check out the NABT BioClub website at http://www.nabt.org/sites/S1/index.php?p=653

EMSS

E-Mentoring for Student Success

Introducing eMSS 2008-09

  • Science-focused mentoring program inclusive of training, stipends and program administration
  • Beginning science teachers matched with a mentor who has experience teaching the same science discipline and grade level
  • Facilitated online curriculum that focuses on science content and pedagogy that directly applies to the teacher’s classroom
  • Nationwide, online network of science educators and scientists that facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and resources
  • Leadership and professional development opportunities for science teachers