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The Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science and Computer Education is once again offering a series of one-day content workshops for science teachers, grade 7-12. The theme is hands-on, inquiry-based teaching and learning... make the science content come alive for your students, with new activities and techniques! The Rutgers Center for Math, Science and Computer Education is NJ Professional Development Provider #2. The content of all workshops is based on the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science.

The workshops are appropriate for grade 7-12 teachers of science. (See "Schedule" section below for brief description of each workshop offered.)

Alumni of our successful "Institute for New Science Teachers" (now going into its 22nd year) have expressed continued interest in attending workshops that reflect the institute's enthusiastic approach to teaching science. So come to a workshop and recharge your teaching battery!

Nine different workshops will be offered on January 6, 7, 9, 13 & 14, 2009 (see schedule detail). All workshops will be located in Beck Hall, on the Livingston campus (Piscataway) of Rutgers University.

The workshop fee is $195 per workshop, which includes all materials. Fee is $175 per workshop if a district registers 4 or more teachers. Payment (or school purchase order) must be received by our office prior to the workshop date.

Cancellations must be made at least 5 business days prior to the workshop date in order to be eligible for a refund (minus a $25 processing fee). All workshops are subject to cancellation due to insufficient enrollment (full refunds would be issued). No refunds for cancellations made within 5 business days of the workshop date.

(Each topic is a full-day workshop; most dates have concurrent sessions. Workshop hours are 8:30 am-3:00 pm; registration is at 8:00 am.)

Jan. 6
High School Physics
Presenter: Ryan Gupta

This workshop explores physics concepts using hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning while simultaneously addressing the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. Participants will learn how to create a student-centered physics classroom while maximizing student comprehension of the central concepts covered in College Prep, Honors, and AP Physics.

Jan. 6
Earth Science, Grade 7-9
Presenter:

Apply an inquiry approach in your teaching and student learning processes! We will investigate selected content material and perform laboratory activities in Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy. Specifically, we will investigate the basic rock classes and weathering and erosion in Geology; gather temperatures in space, then plot, graph, and predict patterns of weather in Meteorology; Earth's orbital motions and development of the solar calendar in Astronomy. In addition, teachers will work in small groups to investigate several motivating inquiry-based activities and laboratory exercises.

Jan. 7
High School Chemistry
Presenter: Karen Galley

This workshop will focus on using small scale laboratory activities. There will be about six different lab experiments for use in an average high school chemistry course. The set-ups will be easily implemented into the classroom lab experience. Participants will see firsthand how small scale lessens the environmental impact and decreases the cost of chemicals.

Jan. 7
Middle School Life Science
Presenters: Paula Arbadji and Shannon Corcoran

This workshop delves into the dilemma of how to keep life science hands-on and inquiry based in a climate of content-driven high stakes testing. Discover how to engage students in experiments and projects while still covering the required state and federal core science content standards. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get down and dirty as we dive into compelling experiments and activities that every middle school student, no matter how "chill", will love!

Jan. 9
High School Biology
Presenter: Dan Griesbach

Experience a new inquiry approach to some traditional activities: a dissection tied to the environment, a flower-dyeing related to the water vascular system, natural selection activities, diffusion and human anatomy relationships, role play protein synthesis plus higher order thinking paper and pencil activities. Discover ways to cover multiple topics at one time and reach all levels.

Jan. 9
Middle School Physical Science
Presenter: Patti Duncan

Want to increase the “WOW” factor in your classroom? Want your physical science students to KNOW how much FUN science can be? Come to this workshop and experience exciting, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and labs that will have the students begging for more. Most involve simple, CHEAP materials and set up. We will even make some materials that you will be able to use in your classroom the very next day!

Jan. 13
High School Environmental Science
Presenter: Jon Cole

Discover ways to bring the outdoors in! At the core of environmental science is an examination of some of the physical and biological principles that govern our world. Many of these principles are best studied in the field, but as high school teachers we don’t have the luxury of taking field trips to exotic ecosystems. This workshop will focus on activities which will bring the outside environment inside your classroom walls. Topics that will be covered include: Tides, Terrestrial Succession, Natural Selection and Population Dynamics, Biological Diversity, Water and Soil Quality, and many others. In addition, time will be spent on discussing suggested field trips and safety tips.

Jan. 13
New Jersey's New Biology Assessment
Presenters: Gene McNicholas and Kate Napolitano

How do we prepare our students for the exam, and what will be its impact on our curriculum and instruction?

Jan. 14
Hurricane Forensics
Presenter: Dave Jungblut

Imagine your home destroyed and your insurance claim denied, what do you do? Geologist David Jungblut will present teacher and student-friendly lessons, labs and activities that demonstrated how he used geological and forensic inquiry techniques to discover straight-line winds from microburst activity took place during Hurricane Katrina that helped thousands of homeowners in Mississippi. Evaluate local and world wide environmental issues like land use risks and benefits in the face of global warming.

For more information and a registration form, contact Kerstin Schnatter, Senior Program Coordinator, at 732-445-0841 or kerstins@rutgers.edu. Brochure will be available and mailed to all schools in October 2008.