The following district directors have submitted news items for NCSTA members:

• District 4
• District 7
• District 8

Not sure which district you are in? Check out the district map at the bottom of this page.

District 4 News
Director: Jennifer Brown

As educators, I’m sure we understand the meaning of being life-long learners. After all, it is our desire to instill this concept within our students. It is with this in mind that I am taking this opportunity to inform those of you in District 4 and the surrounding area of the Graduate Studies Programs in Science offered at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) – Science Education

The primary purpose of the M.A.Ed. in Science Education Program is to prepare currently licensed North Carolina Secondary School Science Teachers for the N.C. Master’s/Advanced Competencies License. The program requires 36 semester hours and is a logical extension of a student’s undergraduate science teacher preparation program. The program has been designed to provide an opportunity for science teachers who hold either the Comprehensive Science License or the Biology License to enter the program and qualify for the N.C. Master’s/Advanced License. While in the M.A.Ed. program, the former undergraduate science education major will be required to concentrate in one of four areas of science (12 semester hours in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Science) and take 9 additional semester hours in the three areas outside of the concentration area. The former undergraduate biology education major will concentrate in Biology (15-18 semester hours) and take an additional 3 – 6 semester hours outside of biology.

If you would like further information on the program of study, please contact Dr. Sue Bowden at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. (910) 521-6652, (910) 521-6245

District 7 News
Director: Carolyn Elliott

Welcome to a new school year. I hope this year will be great year for each of you. It has been a busy summer for District 7 NSTA members. Many of our members attended the NC Science Leadership Conference at the Trinty Center. Those attending participated in sessions on inquiry activities and curriculum support documents for middle and high school students. Mike Cough, Ph. D., Iowa State University and Craig Berg, Ph. D. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee presented “Modifying Cookbook Labs, A different way of teaching a standard laboratory”. Some members attended the Extended Physics Community project at Appalachian State University and UNC-Greensboro.

Lee Stroupe and Lara Pendrey, Watauga, attended the Earth and Environmental Science Studies Conference at Crossnore, June 17 - 21, sponsored by Environmental Education Fund. Susan Greene, Watauga, attended the Thematic Academics Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, sponsored by Small Learning Community Grant.

Jane Crosby, Stateville High School, spent two weeks visiting the Schools and Cultures of Europe with a group of graduate students from UNCC. This group was led by Dr. Cory Lock of UNCC. They visited 9 cities, 5 schools and 2 universities during the two weeks. Dr. Lock makes this trip every year and is recruiting for next summer. Two American cemeteries were also part of the trip. Also, Jane spent one week in a follow-up workshop at National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WVa. All participants learned to use and manipulate the Hands-On Universe program developed at University of Berkley and now have their own site license to use the program. This is part of a NSF initiative to bring research to the classroom.

Dr. Max Dass, Appalachian State University, conducted a two-week workshop at Appalachian State as part of a Eisenhower professional development program titled, "Promoting Standards Based Science Education in Middle Grades using the Science-Technology-Society (STS) Approach." Seventeen teachers, spanning grades 4-9, from northwest North Carolina region participated. The workshop ran June 17-28. Participating teachers presented their work at the NCSTA conference in Greensboro in November.

Congratulation to the Freedom High School Science Olympiad Team which won the first place trophy in the regional tournament at Hickory and the honor of competing at the state tournament in Raleigh. Kathy McCormick coached the team. They had an excellent group of 25 students, enabling them to have two teams (max. 15 per team) which is unusual for most high schools. For several consecutive years, Freedom School has been winners of the top trophies and attending the state competition.

News From District 8
Director: Kyle Carver

Thanks to Jayson Duncan and his leadership team for an outstanding state conference in Greensboro.

Congratulations to fourth grade Buncombe County teacher, Marta Johnson, who was named Outstanding Science Teacher for District 8 at the NCSTA Conference in Greensboro in November. Ms. Johnson teaches at Haw Creek Elementary and is known for her interest and enthusiasm in science and mathematics education. Her classroom is a living laboratory for science and her students are continuously engaged in investigations about the natural world. Over the past two years she has conducted several FOSS Science Workshops for grades 2 through 5, as Buncombe County is piloting this program in elementary schools throughout the district. “We certainly appreciate the effort and leadership Ms. Johnson is bringing to elementary teachers and science in our county,” says Dr. Alan Lenk, District Science Specialist.

Mr. Jeff Gaver, physics teacher at Roberson High School, conducted a workshop for physics teachers concerning the use of test items during instruction that are similar in style and content to the State Physics EOC Test. It is important for students to be accustomed to answering questions in their weekly evaluations that mirror the items they may encounter on standardized tests. Mr. Gaver has been teaching physics and other science courses for about 30 years.

Linda Walker, an eighth grade teacher at Cane Creek Middle School, took her students to Fairview Elementary School to teach kindergarten students how to build circuit boards.

The Region 9 Science Olympiad Competition will be held at UNCA on February 15, 2003. If you need more information, you may contact Judy Beck in the Physics Department at UNCA,
(828) 232-5036.

A new resource is available to science educators in western North Carolina. The Science House has opened a new Satellite Office in Asheville. Beth Snoke will be coordinating outreach to science and math teachers in Buncombe county and surrounding areas through her office at The Health Adventure science museum in Asheville. If you are interested in professional development or other assistance please feel free to contact Beth at 828-254-6373 ext327 or beth_snoke@ncsu.edu.