The Science Reflector - NCSTA Newsletter

Professional Development Institute Update

Solving the Mystery of Great Science Teaching

Koury Convention Center
Greensboro, NC
November 9-10, 2006

The theme for the 2006 Professional Development Institute is "Solving the Mystery of Great Science Teaching " Join us November 9-10 in Greensboro to learn about science resources across North Carolina, with a focus on forensic science.

Speakers & Presentations
Registration
Housing
Other Events and Information

More details can also be found at the Professional Development Institute web page. This page is updated regularly as more information becomes available. If you have questions please feel free to contact the Institute Coordinators.

Speakers and Presentations

You can find information about all of the speakers and presentations in the Professional Development Institute Planning Guide (PDF, 1.5 MB).

Dr. William M. Bass --Friday, Closing Session
Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Bill Bass, a legend in forensic circles, has assisted with hundreds of cases for the FBI and numerous other law-enforcement agencies. He created the world's first laboratory devoted to human decomposition: the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility, commonly known as the Body Farm. He has written or coauthored more than two hundred scientific publications, many based on murder cases and other mysteries he has helped to prosecute or solve. A gifted teacher, he has been named "National Professor of the Year" by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Dr. C. Hal Cohpyrite -- Friday, General Session
The renowned archaeologist, Dr. C. Hal Cohpyrite, hailing from the coastal regions of North Carolina, reveals the results of his twenty-year forensic investigation into the missing victims and treasures of the notorious pirate, Blackbeard. The professor promises to reveal information that “will shake the world of the eastern North Carolina economy” at the NCSTA institute in recognition of the support he received from his public school science teachers.

Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch -- Thursday, Opening Session
Undeniably, the CSI craze is sweeping the nation. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for investigators? for police officers? for scientists? for teachers? Good or bad, the reality is that more and more people are dying to learn more about the world of crime scene investigation. Director of the National Forensic Science Institute, Jarrett Hallcox, and Forensic Training Coordinator, Amy Welch, reveal the fact and fiction behind CSI and share their perspectives of what it is like to run the toughest forensic science school in the nation, the National Forensic Science Institute. Instructors to police officers from across the nation, Hallcox and Welch set up crime scenes to help the investigators hone their skills. Take this rare opportunity to learn from teachers who work in a slightly different classroom than the ones we typically frequent.

Jim Spencer -- Thursday, 10:15
Chemistry Teachers: Take the opportunity to hear about the latest changes in the AP Chemistry Test from one who was instrumental in the redesign, Dr. Jim Spencer. Spencer will also share information on POGIL, Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning, a new cooperative learning approach for chemistry instruction. Spencer is the co-author of three textbooks: Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics, 3rd Edition, Physical Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry Atoms, Molecules, and Spectroscopy, Physical Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry Thermodynamics.

Housing
It is never too early to make your hotel reservations. As usual, the conference will be held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Be sure to mention that you are attending the NCSTA institute to get the lower, conference rate: $118 single/double and $128 triple/quad. In order for us to bring you quality PDI each year, it costs money. One way to off-set our cost is for each participant, who will need overnight accommodations, to stay at the Sheraton Four Seasons. By staying at the Sheraton and sharing a room, you can help us off-set our costs tremendously.

Share-a-thon
Bring copies of your favorite instructional activities to share with other participants and get plenty in return from all of them. Participants should prepare 100 copies of each activity they wish to share and indicate where the activity aligns with the NC Standard Course of Study. The sessions will all be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the following times:
11:30 - 12:30 Elementary
12:45 - 1:45 Middle School
2:00 - 3:00 High School
Contact Ann McLung if you are interested in participating

Swap Shop
Are you a new teacher looking for materials and resources, but you are short on funding? Are you a veteran teacher with more “stuff” that your classroom can hold? Come to the Swap Shop! Here you can either unload your unused materials, or load up on donations. The Swap Shop is free and open to all. Just come to the Registration area to drop off or pick up your goodies.

Dancing With the Stars!
Remember how much fun you had doing the Electric Slide? The Conga? Okay, how about the Hokey Pokey? It’s time to rediscover that fun as we “Dance with the Stars!” We’ll watch as professional Salsa instructors demonstrate the sizzling moves of the sultry Salsa. Then it’s our turn as we take to the dance floor in our “Salsa 101,” introductory lesson. Never danced before? Not to worry! No judges or phone-in voting allowed. Join us for a delightful ending to our President’s Reception!

Great Rock and Mineral Giveaway
The NC Aggregates Association will be giving away rock again this year in the exhibit hall. If you would like to volunteer to help bag and distribute rocks (and rub elbows with geologists and industry representatives) contact Fred Allen at ncaa@ncaggregates.org.

More details can be found at the Professional Development web page. This page is updated regularly as more information becomes available. If you have questions please feel free to contact the Institute Coordinators.