CALIFORNIA SCIENCE EDUCATION CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 2, 2008
SAN JOSE CONVENTION CENTER

CONTENT FOCUS SEMINARS

These three-hour programs are specifically designed to provide secondary teachers with intensive coursework in each of the major science content areas: life science, earth/space science, chemistry, and physics.

Each course will be held concurrently on Saturday, November 1, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE

CFS1: Deep Ocean Currents: Thermohaline Circulation

Participants will construct an understanding of deep ocean currents and thermohaline circulation by engaging in a series of hands-on lab activities. Participants will collaboratively develop, build upon, and apply conceptual models of deep ocean phenomena based on their lab experiences. We will utilize research-based science teaching strategies centered on scientific inquiry and model-based reasoning, and all activities will easily transfer to the 8th-12th grade science classroom. Activities include investigations into the effects of temperature, salinity, ice formation, and topography on deep oceanic currents. Fee: $35

Presenter: Richard Hedman, Interim Director, Center for Math and Science Education, CSU Sacramento

About the Presenter: In his position at the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, and as the Co-Director of the Sacramento Area Science Project (SASP), Rich Hedman designs and provides professional development programs for teachers of science. Rich has extensive experience in inquiry science, lesson study, teacher research, and model-based reasoning through his current positions and former experiences as a high school earth science teacher.

LIFE SCIENCE

CFS2: Hot Topics in the Life Sciences

Breakthroughs in stem cell research and genomics promise to revolutionize medical therapies and are topics that will get your students' attention. What do these scientific advances mean to you and your students? Through hands-on, classroom-friendly activities, we’ll explore these topics and other areas of cell biology and genetics, and discuss how to integrate these new findings with basic science content in your curriculum. Fee: $35

Presenter: Karen Kalumuck, Biologist and Educator, Exploratorium Teacher Institute

About the Presenter: Karen Kalumuck has been a staff Biologist with the Teacher Institute since 1994, and has developed and continues to be the lead teacher of the life sciences component of the Exploratorium's Teacher Professional Development program. She is the author of the Exploratorium's first Biology activity book, Human Body Explorations (2000; 2005), as well as numerous articles for the general public.

CHEMISTRY

CFS3: Inquiry in Chemistry: An Entrée into Experimentation, Investigation, and Student Thinking

Inquiry in the chemistry classroom can seem daunting or even dangerous, but it can also be rewarding, enlightening, informative, and motivating. How we engage students with investigation and experimentation may influence their attitude toward future in science. This Content Focus Seminar will present lessons that make use of inquiry and generate a dialogue about ways in which we might increase the occurrence of inquiry in our chemistry classrooms. Fee: $35

Presenter: Arthur Beauchamp, Director, Sacramento Area Science Project

About the Presenter: Arthur Beauchamp has been a secondary science teacher for 20 years in both urban and suburban secondary schools in the Sacramento area. He has taught Chemistry, Biology, Physical Science, and Environmental Science. Since leaving the classroom Arthur has served as the Director of the Sacramento Area Science Project at UC Davis.

PHYSICS

CFS4: Charge It Up! Inquiry-Based Electricity and Magnetism

During the session, participants will explore an array of electricity and magnetism activities that are hands-on and intriguing. You will have the opportunity to build simple projects and take them home for use in your classroom on Monday. Fee: $35

Presenter: Douglas Green, Physics Teacher, Robotics Coach, Vanden High School