NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

LESSON STUDY
California Lesson Study Conference June 7 - 8, 2009
The Redwood Science Project is a major sponsor of the California Lesson Study Conference this year being held in Monterey Bay.  We are pleased to be able to support area educators to attend the conference.  Visit the conference website below for more information and registration.  Contact Julie Van Sickle at

(707) 826-5552 or jav16@humboldt.edu for more information on the support we can provide for you to attend. 

  >> California Lesson Study Conference website

  >> Other esson Study Programs and Opportunities

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CALIFORNIA NATURAL HISTORY INSTITUTES -- 2009
The Redwood Science Project with our partners offer a series of California Natural History Institutes. An important goal of these institutes is to develop a rich sense of place based knowledge about natural history based on experiences in the field, literature reading, digital media and journaling. For more information contact

Julie Van Sickle at (707) 826-5552 or jav16@humboldt.edu.

The following institutes will be offered in partnership with the Inland Northern Science Project at CSU Chico.  Follow the links below to applications for additional specific information.

July 20 - 24 Wetlands Ecology & Marine Biology (Humboldt County)

  >> Application for Wetlands Ecology & Marine Biology Institute

July 27 - 30 Mountain Ecology at Lake Tahoe 

  >> Application for Mountain Ecology at Lake Tahoe Institute

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DESIGN YOUR FUTURE:

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN INSTITUTE  August 3 - 7, 2009
In collaboration with the Environmental Resources Engineering Department at HSU, the Design Your Future (DYF) Teacher Institute presents an engineering problem solving framework that can be used to teach science and mathematics in a rich, problem based learning context.  Institute participants experience the design process, reflect on that experience and then plan how to integrate the design process into their teaching.  This institute is for secondary math and science teachers who want to provide more real world context for learning.  Building on Summer 2008 Institute feedback, small standards based curricular packages will be experienced and critiqued by participants.  Engineering topics include: sustainable engineering, bridge design, mechanical dissection, and hydrogen fuel cells.  Each participant will receive curricular materials and related equipment including a bench top fuel cell and electrolizer.

For details:

  >>DYF website: www.humboldt.edu/~dyf

  >>DYF Invitation and Details

  >>DYF Application

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Academic Literacy Day Friday, May 15, 2009

We invite our regional science educators to join us for an Academic Literacy Day specifically geared to explore techniques and strategies to meet the needs of students struggling with language issues, whether that is students challenged with reading and writing or students working to learn a new language.  This day is designed for teachers that want strategies which can be used immediately in their classes, which are easy to implement and with which they are given the resources and training necessary to do so.  The Academic Literacy Day will take place at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center. To find out more about support for attending this workshop and reserve a space contact Julie Van Sickle at (707) 826-5552 or jav16@humboldt.edu

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REDWOOD AREA ACADEMIC LITERACY INITIATIVE—2005 thru 2009
We celebrated several years of academic literacy work in our region during the RAALI Conference Saturday, May 16, 2009.  RAALI is designed to improve academic literacy skills in science, mathematics, and history among high school students in the six county Northcoast region. Humboldt and Sonoma State Universities in cooperation with Konocti Unified School District manage the project.  Contact the RSP office if you are interested attending the RAALI Conference or are interested in research opportunities with RAALI.

RAALI Website:
  >> www.humboldt.edu/~rsp/RAALI.htm

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CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY PROJECT
The Redwood Science Project is a founding co-sponsor of this film project. This multi-institutional endeavor aims to enhance the understanding of science and history pertaining to California’s environmental history. The center-piece is a four-part PBS film series and a companion set of place based programs around the state. To learn more, follow the link below.
  >> http://www.csus.edu/celp/

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Using the Natural History Museum to Enrich Learning

The Natural History Museum and the Redwood Science Project are working together to provide training and share a resource book, “Using the Museum to Teach Science”.  Activities are geared to support the CA Science Standards and will build on Museum School programs or stand alone. The goal of this Natural History Museum/Redwood Science Project created resource book is to help teachers make best use of the museum as a valuable teaching tool. For more information, contact Melissa Zielinski at 826-4476.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SCIENCE TEACHING INITIATIVE—2007 thru 2011
NCSTI is a regional collaborative effort that aims to support middle and high school science teachers and science departments.  This initiative supports teachers individually to help with their professional development needs, assists science departments to further develop as effective learning communities, and provides a set of professional development offerings in which regional teachers can participate.  Participation with this initiative is by invitation.  For more information, contact Julie Van Sickle at (707) 826-5552 or jav16@humboldt.edu. 
  >> Overview

  >> Press Release

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Science and Mathematics Education Advising and Support
Advising is offered to undergraduates and individuals entering the field of teaching secondary science and/or mathematics. Information is available regarding steps to take toward earning secondary teaching credentials and subject matter authorizations, existing programs and financial assistance opportunities.

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Watersheds to Humboldt Bay
The Redwood Science Project has partnered with Jacoby Creek School and the Center for Integrative Coastal Observation, Research and Education with funding from NOAA to develop a watershed to bay curriculum for upper elementary and middle school students.  For more information, contact Julie Van Sickle at

(707) 826-5552 or jav16@humboldt.edu. 

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SCIENCE AND FILM INITIATIVE
This initiative is designed to bring scientists, filmmakers, and educators together to explore the documentary film genre as a medium for conveying ideas about science and its relationship to other human endeavors.  As part of this effort, the RSP offers institutes and courses to support this work.  For more information, contact: Jeffrey White at jww12@humboldt.edu.

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COACHING AND MENTORING IN SCIENCE TEACHING
The Redwood Science Project CMIST program is designed to provide on-site coaching and mentoring to teachers who seek assistance in improving their teaching. Funding is normally provided via partnership arrangements between the RSP and School Districts.