University News
PreK-8 Science Education Update Conference Set for April 24 at WIU-Macomb
April 16, 2009
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center will host the 23rd Annual PreK-8 Science Education Update Conference from 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Friday, April 24 on the WIU-Macomb campus. This year's theme is "Science Is Fundamental."
According to Don Powers, director of the Kellogg Science Education Center and conference coordinator, the Science Update Conference, which is also supported by the curriculum and instruction department and the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), allows outstanding classroom teachers to share their expertise with other teachers in small group settings.
"During the morning there will be three 50-minute concurrent sessions, with each session offering participants a choice of at least six sessions featuring a variety of methods to make science instruction more meaningful and exciting for students," explained Powers. "At noon, more than a dozen mini-sessions will be held in the Horrabin Hall Gym followed by lunch, announcements, awards and door prizes. More than 190 elementary and middle school teachers and educators from west central Illinois and eastern Iowa have already registered for the conference and registration continues," he added.
Registration information is available at wiu.edu/users/sced/update.html. CPDUs for participants will be awarded at the end of the conference. Conference attendees may pick up their registration materials beginning at 7:30 am. Exhibits open at 8 a.m., with the concurrent sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m.
In addition to the morning sessions, the participants will have the opportunity to visit education-related displays. Exhibitors will include The New Copperfield's Book Service, Tri-County Resource & Waste Management Council, Illinois Farm Bureau's Agriculture in the Classroom, Flinn Scientific, MicroTech Microscope Sales & Service, Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers, The Scope Shoppe, Delta Science Education, Carolina Biological Supply, Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Education, Illinois Petroleum Resource Board, Illinois State Museum, VWR Education International (Sargent-Welch, Wards Natural Science, Science Kit & Boreal Labs), Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center of Rushville, Illinois Science Teachers Association and the Environmental Education Association of Illinois.
The 2009 event will include a presentation by Rebecca (Becky) Jaramillo, an educator-in-residence for the National Institute of Aerospace in Hampton, VA, and coordinator for the NASA eClips program. Jaramillo also received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 2005. Her presentation will focus on using innovative resources and technology to engage students in the 21st century.
Other conference presenters and their sessions include Betsy Hommel (WIU) "Children's Literature in Science: New Releases"; Corinne Mueller (Delta Science Education) "Science Notebooks -- Writing to Promote Active Learning"; Jodi Becker (WIU-Quad Cities) "Beyond a Bug in a Jar"; Julie Bice (West Prairie Middle School, Colchester, IL) "Build an Environmental Habitat through Butterfly Gardening with Children"; Paula Hauf, Brooke Bartsh & Natalie Circello (Children's Village West, Davenport, IA) "Water Wonders in Preschool"; Mary McMahon (West Prairie, Colchester, IL) "Nature Quilt Project"; Brian Poelker (Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL) "Learning Cycles: Rocks & Fossils"; Carrie Schreiber (Illinois Farm Bureau Agriculture in the Classroom) "Some April Foolishness"; Pat Sullivan (Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center of Rushville) "What is YOUR Watershed Address?;" and "Pond Critters"; Carol Van De Walle, Lindsey Spivey and Sarah Stafford (WIU-Quad Cities) "Lessons from Dr. Xangle: Science and LA are FUNdamental"; John J. Zenchak and Mary Jean Lynch (North Central College, Naperville, IL) "After the Demonstration, How Do You Continue Engaging Your Students? "; Harry Henderickson (Illinois Science Teachers) "ISTA Cool Communities Mini-Grant Program"; Joe Bauer (IL DNR, Springfield, IL) "Materials & Programs from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources"; Tracy Trimpe (Havana Junior High, Havana, IL) "Sponge Bob and the Scientific Method"; Corindy Wolf & Abby Ruebush (Edison Elementary, Macomb, IL) "Teaching's Missing Manual: Preparing Your Science Classroom"; Barbara Hendricks (WIU) "The Art of Science Education"; Jack Blake (VWR Education) "Teacher Developed, Classroom Tested Activities"; Darin Christianson (Carolina Curriculum) "Science Technology & Children: Rocks & Minerals."
Afternoon mini-session presenters and topics include Kent Buchrop (Glenview Middle School, Moline, IL) "Globe Trotting: Think You Know the Shortest Distance Between Two Points?"; Tracy Trimpe (Havana Junior High, Havana, IL) "DNA Keychains"; Frances Steward & Diana Goff (WIU) "Amazing Balloon Experiments Meet Science Standards"; Kevin Finson (Bradley University, Peoria, IL) "The Checks Activity: Learning About the Nature of Science"; Kelsey Johnson & Andrea Amato (Montmorency Grade School/Colona Grade School) "For Your Eyes Only -- The Secret of Invisible Writing"; Joe Bauer (Illinois DNR, Springfield, IL) "Illinois DNR Educational Materials & Resources"; LaVerne Logan (WIU) "Color Investigations for Young Children"; Rebecca Jaramillo (NASA) "Using NASA eClips to Engage Millennial Learners"; Abha Singh (WIU) "Pondering Popcorn"; Megan Yocum (WIU) "Lining Up the Planets"; Barbara Sandall (WIU) "Going Green to Save Our Earth -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"; Barbara Hendricks (WIU) "Celebrating Arbor Day"; and Don Powers (WIU) "So You Want to Be a Rocket Scientist!"
During the PreK-8 Conference, the Western's Children's Literature Examination Center (CLEC) will continue its open house 8 a.m.-12 noon Friday, April 24 in Horrabin Hall 1. (CLEC will also have its open house from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 23.)
For more information contact Don Powers at (309) 298-1258 or DT-Powers@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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