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

