CALIFORNIA SCIENCE
EDUCATION CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 22-24, 2010 • SACRAMENTO, CA

SHORT COURSES

Short Courses are three-hour programs that are California standards-aligned and include a considerable amount of hands-on activity, interactive instruction, group work, and discussion. They are optional, additional-fee events that are open to registered conference participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Unsold Short Course tickets may be available on-site at the conference, but as many Short Courses sell out early, CSTA highly encourages advance ticket purchase. Short Courses will be held at Sheraton Grand and Hyatt Regency Hotels.

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Last Updated: 2/8/2010

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010 ~ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

SC01: Shaking Out in California - Quake Catchers, Forecasts, and Other High Tech Tools for Studying Earthquakes in the Twenty-First Century

Learn how supercomputers are used to understand earthquakes. Participants receive resources that provide students with a 21st century perspective of earthquake science including a Quake Catcher Network sensor and kit.
Fee: $35
Earth/Space Science, Technology
Grades 6-12
Presenter: Robert de Groot, Education Specialist, Southern California Earthquake Center
Co-Presenter: Cynthia Pridmore, Engineering Geologist, California Geological Survey

SC02: Can't Stand the Pressure?

Observe dramatic demonstrations sure to leave your students with memories of air pressure! Learn to use them to promote inquiry and scientific methods. Handouts provided.
Fee: $20 
Earth/Space Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: 3-8
Presenter: Nate Fairchild, Science Teacher, North Woods School

SC03: What Goes Around -- A Biochemical Investigation of Water Resources

Elementary kids love learning about both the natural world and chemistry. These simple and fun investigations build content knowledge and develop key process skills in learning about our water resources.
Fee: $35
Integrated Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: 3-8
Presenter: Fred Estes, LS Science Coordinator, The Nueva School

SC04: 21st Century Integrated Curriculum Focused on Science, Art, and Literacy

Join us to discuss and investigate overlapping skills between art and science. Take home classroom-ready activities focused on light and field trip activities suitable for any art or science museum. (CAS)
Fee: $26
Life Science, Informal Science
Grades 3-5
Presenter: Helena Carmena, Manager of Teacher Services, California Academy of Sciences
Co-Presenter: Sarah Soule, Teacher and Student Services Educator, California Academy of Sciences

SC05: Exploring Hydroelectricity

Hands-on activities teach electricity and the energy of moving water. Build and test hydropower turbines that generate electricity, and learn the advantages and disadvantages of using this renewable energy resource.
Fee: $10
Multidisciplinary Science, Technology
Grades: 6-12
Presenter: Rebecca Lamb, Program Director, National Energy Education Development
Co-Presenter: Barry Scott, Program Coordinator, The NEED Project

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SC06: Survival Skills for New Science Teachers

New teachers will be engaged in discussions, activities and open dialogue as it pertains to classroom management, standards-based instructional design, literacy and math connections, and universal access for all students.
Fee: $20
Multidisciplinary Science, Classroom Management
Grades: K-12
Presenter: Erin Rittenhouse, Science and Technology Teacher, Rincon Valley Charter School
Co-Presenter: Dean Gilbert, Science Consultant, Los Angeles COE

SC07: Deepening Students’ Thinking Through Science Notebooks

The course will focus on using discourse and writing to deepen student understanding of science content. Participants will experience a FOSS hands-on lesson using the essential components of science notebooks.
Fee: $20
Chemistry, Literacy/EL
Grades: 3-8
Presenter: Claudio B. Vargas, Director Bay Area Science Project, UC Berkeley
Co-Presenter: Joanna Totino, Co-Director, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley

SC08: Our Solar System Through the Eyes of Scientists

Learn about NASA’s new Solar System science and language arts program, “Our Solar System Through the Eyes of Scientists.” Teachers will receive free curriculum materials, and learn to use them.
Fee: $10
Earth/Space Science, Literacy/EL
Grades: 4-8
Presenter: Rachel Zimmerman Brachman, Cassini Formal Education Specialist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Co-Presenter: Julie Taylor, Solar System Educator, Adelanto School District

SC09: Teaching Bioenergetics: Finally It Makes Sense

This session will offer a series of hands-on activities that will provide students with an understanding of Bioenergetics while making these topics fun to learn.
Fee: $20
Life Science, Informal Science
Grades: 9-12
Presenter: Rebecca McKinney, Teacher, The Grauer School

SC10: Science Matters!

Science matters in primary grades! Use the K-12 Alliance's Matter Unit to boost your students understanding of physical science. Learn fourteen hands-on/inquiry-based lessons. Receive a copy of the Matter Unit. (K-12A)
Fee: $30
Physical Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: K-2
Presenter: Jo Topps, Regional Director, K-12 Alliance/WestEd
Co-Presenter: Jackie Gallaway, Teacher, Montebello USD

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SC11: Putting Science on the Map

Would you like to incorporate new place-based technologies into your classroom? Bring your laptop for a hands-on training. Learn to create media-rich, interactive, science-based maps using free tools from Google.
Fee: $35
Multidisciplinary Science, Technology
Grades: 6-12
Presenter: Andrea Swensrud, Project Supervisor, Science Education, KQED Public Broadcasting
Co-Presenter: Leslie Rule, Producer, Digital Media Center, KQED Public Media

SC12: Students As Willing Learners: Motivating Students in Science

What do you do when students appear unmotivated? Find out what research and practice tell us about the components of student motivation and instructional practices that help in motivating students.
Fee: $38
Multidisciplinary Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: 6-12
Presenter: Arthur Beauchamp, Director, Sacramento Area Science Project
Co-Presenter: Judi Kusnick, Professor, CSU Sacramento

SC13: The Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) – Coming in 2010!

Experience California's first, standards-based, State Board of Education-approved, 85-unit, K-12 curriculum that teaches California's academic content standards using environmental content and context - to rave reviews by educators throughout California.
Fee: $10
Environmental Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: K-12
Presenter: Andrea Lewis, Assistant Secretary for Education, California Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Presenter: Geral Lieberman, Director, State Education and Environment Roundtable

SC14: Did You See What I Think I Saw?

Developing observational skills through the use of unexpected events. Learn innovative ways to teach observations and receive a packet of activities, with scientific background on each. (K-12A)
Fee: $15 
Physical Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: 3-8
Presenter: Robert Sherriff, Middle School Science Teacher, San Juan Unified School District

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SC15: Plasma, the 4th State of Matter and 1st Step Toward Fusion

Plasma, and its interactions with electric and magnetic fields, play integral roles in our daily lives. Interactive, assessable classroom plasmas are shown, and important laboratory fusion processes will be discussed.
Fee: $10
Physical Science, Pedagogy/I&E
Grades: 9-12
Presenter: Richard Lee, Scientist, Fusion Ed Program Manager, General Atomics

SC16: The Write Stuff: Launching Student Writing

Scientific inquiry provides concrete experiences to launch writing and make the process easier for all students. Abstract ideas become more understandable. Frames help students process thoughts. Handouts provided.
Fee: $11
Multidisciplinary Science, Literacy/EL
Grades: 1-6
Presenter: Katrina Williams, Teacher, Harvest Elementary