May 2008 ► SD Discovery Home ► Subscribe a Friend to this Newsletter or Unsubscribe

View this newsletter as a webpage: http://www.sd-discovery.com/newsletters/Teacher/2008/200805_6.htm

As the SD Discovery Center Teacher E-News expands, we are tweaking our format. The newsletter will now be sectioned into five parts to help you find the information that matters to you most:

Announcements

1. Environment Education Connections of South Dakota
2. Upcoming Exhibits
3. Classroom Memberships

Trainings, Meetings & Professional Development

Pierre School District & SD Discovery Center To Co-Host Workshop Led by Space Science Experts ($80 stipend to all participants) The Pierre School District & the SD Discovery Center of will co-host an astronomy teacher workshop led by Dr. Nahide Craig and Dr. Laura Peticolas of the University of California Space Science Laboratory in Berkeley, California. In this two-day workshop on May 28 & 29 at the Georgia Morse Middle School, Dr. Craig and Dr. Peticolas will facilitate NASA and GEMS activities from four teachers’ guides: Exploring Magnetism, GEMS Living with a Star, GEMS Invisible Universe, and GEMS Real Reasons for the Seasons. They will also present a talk about Space weather and auroras. Dr. Nahide Craig is a research astronomer with more than 10 years involvement with the Experimental Astrophysics Group at the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley. In sixth grade, a substitute teacher shared the joys of astronomy with Laura Peticolas and her class. With her parents as scientists, it was an easy decision to start studying to be an astronomer. Laura performs science research on the aurora and works to share NASA science with students, teachers, and the public. To register for the workshop, teachers can visit 2008 Professional Development Registration. The $25 registration fee for South Dakota teachers will be paid by the SD Space Grant Consortium. All participating teachers will receive an $80 stipend. The workshop is made possible through a science education grant from NASA. Graduate, undergraduate ($40) and certificate renewal credit (free) are pending. For more information call Kristie Maher, at 224-8295. Workshop is recommended for 3rd -12th grade teachers.

Climate Change Education and Outreach Meeting June 6 - 7 (credit) June 7 (conference only) Pierre, SD The South Dakota Guide to Climate Change conference is an opportunity for educators and youth workers to become equipped to teach about climate change.  Using a combination of guest speakers and curriculum resources, the conference will provide educators the knowledge, skills and resources to implement effective learning about climate change in their classrooms. Scheduled to speak are: Dennis Todey, State Climatologist A representative from wind power industry A representative from National Wildlife Federation Curt Robertson; Game Fish and Park   Educators can opt to attend just the conference on June 7, or extend the conference into a credit opportunity by attending a 3 hour pre-conference session June 6 to become trained in utilizing GEMS Global Warming kit. The conference is for all South Dakota K-16 educators, non-formal educators and others with an interest in climate change education. The objectives of the conference are to increase awareness and knowledge of climate change and to create a network of individuals that wish to share knowledge on the subject. The conference is a cooperative effort between the South Dakota Deptment of Education, Environment Education Connections of South Dakota (EECSD), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the South Dakota Discovery Center. There is no charge for the event (excepting college credit) and a working lunch will be provided. Conference Information & Registration Pre-Conference GEMS training (required for credit) June 6 4PM - 7:30PM SD Discovery Center Conference June 7 10AM to 4PM Capitol Lake Visitors Center, located between the Capitol Building and Capitol Lake in Pierre, SD. To register for the conference, contact Curt Robertson at 603-773-4506. Or email curt.robertson@state.sd.us with: Name: School: Grade level: Subject area: Phone: Email: To register for the credit, please contact Anne Lewis (annelewis@sd-discovery.com) at 605-224-8295. You may also register online at http://www.sd-discovery.com/teachersworkshops.shtm#ClimateChange Space for the conference is limited.

SD Discovery Center Professional Development School/Youth Based Volunteer Monitoring Seminar May 27 10AM - 5PM Location: Pierre, SD Discovery Center Audience: Grade 6-12 educators, 4-H & Extension staff, pre-service teachers, nonformal educators. Credit: Can be combined with Healthy Water/Healthy People for one credit. Special Info: Free! Mileage reimbursed for out-of-area attendees (including those who stay for additional professional development) Space Science (See announcement above for more info) May 28 & 29 Location: Pierre, SD Georgia Morse Middle School, Room 124 Audience: Teachers of grades 3rd-8th Credit: 1 graduate or undergraduate credit ($40) or free certificate renewal credit (pending) Special Info: Registration paid by SD Space Grant Consortium.  $80 stipend paid to each participant. Space is limited. Healthy Water, Healthy People. May 28 9AM - 6PM Location: SD Discovery Center, Pierre Audience: 6-12 teachers, 4H & Extension staff, pre-service teachers, nonformal educators. Credit: Can be combined with School-based monitoring for one credit. Special Info: Free! Optional kayaking field session, participants receive curriculum. Basic Leopold Education Project Classroom: June 3; Online Study: June 4-25. Audience: Teachers of Grades 4 - 12, pre-service educators, non-formal educators English, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Earth Science, Ecology, Physical Education, Ag & Natural Resources Credit: 1 CEU Special Info: $5. Do you want to take the Leopold Education Project training but aren't up for a three day field session? A one credit training option is available. After attending the classroom session with the field study group, you complete your studies online. You get the a full day of face to face inquiry based training and the same, high quality classroom resources that will help you facilitate critical thinking skills with your students about the land. LEGO Simple & Motorized Machines June 16 - 17 Location: SD Discovery Center, Pierre Audience: Teachers of Grades K-8, pre-service educators, non-formal educators Credit: 1 credit Special Info: $50 registration fee.  Graduate workshop credit extra LEGO NXT Mindstorms June 19 - 20 Location: SD Discovery Center, Pierre Audience: Teachers of Grades 6 - 12, pre-service educators, non-formal educators Credit: 1 credit Special Info: $50 registration fee.  Graduate workshop credit extra Advanced Environmental Education II. July 14-16. Note New Dates! Location: Black Hills Area (classroom TBA) Audience: Teachers of Grades 8 - 12, pre-service educators, non-formal educators, Social Studies, Government, Civics, Environmental Studies, Earth Science, Ecology, Physical Education, Ag& Natural Resources. Credit: 2 credits Special Info: $15 Registration.  Two day, one night field session on the Cheyenne (flows permitting).

SDSU Water Resource Institute: Residential Limnology Training SDSU's Water Resource Institute will hold a training for teachers and community members on understanding and monitoring freshwater systems (lakes and streams).  No charge for class.  Credit will be offered.  Dates: July 24-27: Camp Bob Marshall (Custer) August 15-17: Camp NeSoDak (Enemy Swim) Registration: Contact Jennifer Pickard at 605-688-4910 or email: Jennifer.Pickard@sdstate.edu Check Water Quality Monitoring for Schools & Youth soon for more information.

NAAEE Conference: October 15 - 18. The North American Association for Environmental Education will hold its annual conference October 15-18 in Witchita Kansas!  Saturday, Oct 18 will focus on the K-12 teacher. Please subscribe to the EECSD (Environment Connections of South Dakota ) group to keep informed of state and local news about the conference, including carpooling and room sharing information. View the Save The Date announcement (Opens in PDF format in a new window. Please allow pop-ups) Subscribe to EECSD: Email:

Events & Opportunities

SDSU BioBlitz: June 28 A "BioBlitz" is an intensive inventory of species will be held at SDSU's Oak Lake Field Station Saturday, June 28 starting 9AM.  The public is invited to see the "blitz" in process, learning more about biodiversity through hands-on activities and presentations by scientists. At 3:30PM a summary of survey findings will be presented. For more information, contact Jamie Ladonski at 605-367-8384. (SDSU: BioBlitz)

Earth Science Week 2008: October 12 - 18 The American Geologic Institute is pleased to announce the theme of Earth Science Week 2008: “No Child Left Inside.”  Earth Science Week 2008 will encourage young people to learn about the geosciences by getting away from the television, off the computer, and out of doors. If you missed your opportunity to plan an outdoors activity for Earth Day, start planning now for Earth Science Week 2008! To sign up for a teacher toolkit, plan an event or request materials go to http://www.earthsciweek.org/

National Environmental Education Foundation Announces Three Funding Opportunities for Teachers ---------------- 2008 Bartlett Award Do you know an outstanding educator who has successfully integrated environmental education into a daily education program? The Richard C. Bartlett Award for environmental education will be given to a teacher who is creative, passionate, and effective and who can serve as an inspiration and model for other educators. A $5,000 cash award will be provided to this outstanding teacher. Deadline for nominations is June 30, 2008. Nominate a teacher today! ----------------- High School Environmental Education Challenge Grants Grant money is available through Classroom Earth to high school teachers to encourage the inclusion of environmental education into all high school subjects - from chemistry to art - and make it easier for teachers to access best practices online. The Challenge Grants, for up to $10,000, will support teachers and schools who want to: integrate more environmental education into their high school curriculum, expand their course curriculum to include more environmental themes, and develop their professional capacity to incorporate more environmental education into their teaching.   ----------------- Scholarships for UWSP Professional Development The Professional Development Grants will be awarded to support teachers new to the field of environmental education. NEEF in partnership with the University of Wisconsin's Stevens Point Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP), will offer professional development grants of $1,600 for two on-line courses offered by the University. Applications are being accepted now.

May Observances American Wetlands Month National Bike Month Get Caught Reading Month May 6: National Teacher Day (Thank you, teachers!) May 10: Migratory Bird Day May 11: Mother's Day May 22: Day of International Biodiversity May 26: Memorial Day

Water Quality Monitoring News for Schools and Youth

Water quality monitoring news for schools and youth is a new section to the regular SD Discovery Center Teacher E-News.  Right now, there are teachers and youth program staff interested in water quality monitoring, but there are not enough (yet) to warrant a separate newsletter.  This section will be dedicated to information and announcements about water quality monitoring, specifically for schools and youth. This section of the newsletter (I hope) will be written - at least in part - by the practitioners of school based water quality monitoring.  I will post a topic and you reply.  Your relies, as many as will fit, will be posted in the next month's newsletter AND archived on the Water Quality Monitoring for Schools & Youth website. This month's question: What is your advice to a teacher considering starting water quality monitoring? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coming August 2008!  Water quality monitoring loaner kit.  Will include multiple activities for different stations (as yet undetermined). This kit will be available for a 2 week rental FREE!  (Return shipping shipping charges apply).  A full list of contents and how to reserve kit will be announced in the July SD Discovery E News.

Announcements

Environment Education Connections of South Dakota News Starting June 1, EECSD will change its website address to http://www.sd-discovery.com/EECSD/Welcome.html.  Please reset your bookmarks! (And pay us a visit)   Stop by our booth at the Social Studies teachers conference in Spearfish and learn how EE involves Social Studies.  Did you know that in Europe, EE is considered a humanities discipline and is often housed in the geography department?    We will be holding another conference call in mid-August for members, non-members and others.  Learn about what's up and what's new in SD EE.   The No Child Left Inside Initiative is the name of proposed federal legislation that would amend No Child Left Behind to integrate EE into the standards, curricula and educator professional development requirements of the states.  You can read the text of the NCLI legislation at www.thomas.gov (S 1981; HR 3036).  To learn more about why NCLI is an important step for EE and how you can support it, go to: No Child Left Inside

Upcoming Exhibits: May: Dinostories, Bug's Eye View August: Dinostories, Light & Color September: Dinostories, Light & Color November: Animals as Architects December: Animals as Architects, Bug's Eye View

Classroom Memberships A classroom membership to the SD Discovery Center provides unlimited, low cost access to teaching guides, kits and exhibits for an entire year. Benefits Unlimited free admission to the SD Discovery Center exhibit hall for one year.  A trip to the SD Discovery Center is great for kicking off and ending the school year or as a class reward.  Visit during units on electricity and magnetism, aquatic biology and light and mirrors to utilize exhibits that teach these concepts. No rental fees on teaching kits, backpacks and GEMS kits and guides. First invited to special school programs. Download a membership form (requires PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat) and send, with payment, to: SD Discovery Center 805 W Sioux Ave. Pierre, SD 57501