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Pictured are attendees of the 25th annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference at Western Illinois University. WIU's Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center will host the 26th annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference Friday, April 20. According to Don Powers, director of the Kellogg Science Center and professor of curriculum and instruction at WIU, the focus of this year's conference is "Science to Engage Students." Photo courtesy of Don Powers.
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Improving Science Teaching Focus of April 20 PreK-8 Science Update Conference

April 13, 2012

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center will host the 26th annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference Friday, April 20. According to Don Powers, director of the Kellogg Science Center and professor of curriculum and instruction at WIU, the focus of this year's conference is "Science to Engage Students."

"More than a dozen sessions focusing on the teaching of science will be offered, presented by science educators from throughout the state of Illinois during a three-hour block," Powers said.

Powers noted some of the 50-minute presentations include: "Science Notebooks: Tools for Learning"; "Touch Another World: Exploring Meteorites and Meteor-Wrongs"; "Weather Wonders"; "Straw Rockets"; "Next Generation Middle School Science"; and "Creating Model Lunar Craters." Following the 50-minute sessions, there will be a series of mini-sessions during which conference attendees will be able to actively participate in a variety of 10-15 minute inquiry science activities.

Powers added that during the conference, participants will be able to visit a number of commercial exhibits and vendors, which will be displaying science equipment, lab supplies, safety equipment and science curricula. Various state-based agencies and organizations—such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois State Science Museum and the Dickson Mounds Museum—will also have displays and representatives at the conference, he said.

In addition, the WIU Children's Literature Examination Center (CLEC) will have more than 2,000 children and young-adult literature titles on display for examination at the PreK-8 Science Conference. (The CLEC will be hosting an open house on Friday, April 20; see wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=9643.) According to Powers, many of these titles are recently published and include award-winning books, as well as books recognized as "Outstanding Science Trade Books" by the National Science Teachers Association. Usborne Publishers will also be on site during the conference, and participants will be able to purchase a number of their publications.

"Following the end of the mini-sessions, a networking luncheon will be held, which will enable participants to continue to share classroom ideas and strategies with other science educators," Powers said. "Recognition of outstanding science educators will also take place, and the 26th Annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference will close with the annual awarding of numerous door prizes, such as microscopes and other science equipment, science-teaching kits, books and other science-related materials."

Individuals who want to participate in the conference can contact the Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center at (309) 298-1258. For more information about the conference schedule and/or to access the conference registration form, visit www.wiu.edu/users/sced/update.html. Questions about the conference may be directed to Powers at (309) 298-1258 or via email at DT-Powers@wiu.edu.

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