Teachers’ Lounge

Register Now | February 15, 2013

Summer Matters 2013 Conference
Oh, the Places We’ll Go!

Every child needs quality summer-learning opportunities to grow, have fun, and stay on track in school.

Partnership for Children and Youth is happy to announce their Summer Matters 2013 Conference! This year they will be hosting two FREE conferences in support of summer learning.

The first conference will be held on Friday, February 15, 2013, and is held with Bay Area partners to provide training and tools to help districts, community-based organizations and agencies create quality summer learning opportunities.

The Summer Matters 2013 Conference: Oh, the Places We’ll Go! is designed for K-12 district administrators, program directors, managers, and site coordinators, and will include topics covering: Building Sustainable Systems, Planning for Summer, Hiring and Management, Creating Infrastructure to Support Quality Instruction, Program Evaluation, and more!

“Today is our day. We’re off to Great Places! We’re off and away!”

• Learn more and register now >>
• Questions? Email >>

Do you have a student who is interested in using technology to deepen their understanding and involvement in science?

The California Academy of Sciences is now accepting applications for our newest youth program!

The Digital Learning “3D Modeling” spring break program is looking for middle school youth, grades 6-8, who are excited to learn about marine science and animal adaptations, and are looking for an opportunity to use digital media to communicate their passion for science in compelling ways.

In this week-long program running from March 25 through March 30, 2013, youth will work with the Digital Learning team and Academy experts to explore marine biology and evolution, learn how to use 3D scanning and sculpting software, and craft their own marine animal creations using both physical modeling materials and digital 3D creation tools.

Apply here!

All applications for the “Fastest Fish” program are due March 8, 2013. Youth will be accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, download the flyer or email Christine Wilkinson.

Interested in helping to shape a science-based game?

Fire and Flora is a “serious” game about nature, ecology, and connections. In terms of gameplay, Fire and Flora is a close cousin of popular card games like Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh! However, unlike those games, this one is based on real life. More specifically, F&F is based on the ecology of Southern and Central California. Game cards represent real plants, places and events (e.g. Sagebrush, Henry Coe State Park, El Niño), and nature-related curiosities (e.g. Evil Squirrel, Pack Rat).

The game is designed by Tim Handley, an ecologist-turned-educator. Tim recently contacted us, looking for opportunities to share his work and to make connections with families, gamers, and educators.

He’s seeking playtesters (ages 12+) to provide feedback and help polish the game design, and he’s seeking word-of-mouth to help in an upcoming Kickstarter funding campaign.

Anyone interested in playtesting may contact Tim directly by emailing unnumberedT@gmail.com. Anyone interested in helping with his word-of-mouth campaign may “like” the game on Facebook, and pass the word to their friends.

For more information, either visit the Fire and Flora homepage, or contact Tim directly at unnumberedT@gmail.com. And beware the Evil Squirrel!

SAVE THE FROGS! invites teachers and university students to join them in July 2013 for a 10-day eco-tour of Belize!

Like many countries in Central America, Belize is a hotspot of biodiversity, home to 37 amphibian species, as well as an array of bats, birds, lizards, corals and other amazing wildlife.

The trip will be led by SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger; SAVE THE FROGS! Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Starkey; and Sacramento City College Professor David Wyatt — who has been leading Belize eco-tours for 7 years!

Participants will also be accompanied by Mayan naturalists and field guides. Group size is limited to 19 participants.

Visit the trip website to read details about the itinerary, cost, and registration.

Teachers seeking to fulfill professional development or continuing education requirements can claim this trip as a tax-deduction. Students seeking to receive university credit may be able to acquire credit through their university’s internship program. Students wishing to receive SAVE THE FROGS! Academy credit as part of this expedition should also contact the trip organizers.

For more information, please contact SAVE THE FROGS’ Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Starkey at starkey@savethefrogs.com or 1-877-75-FROGS.

Note: This opportunity is not run by the Academy, but is instead offered by our friends over at SAVE THE FROGS! So, be sure to send any inquiries directly their way.

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Seven Tepees Youth Program proudly present:

Salmon Fishing & Ecology
Teacher Workshop
Saturday, February 9th
8:30am – 12:30pm

At the GFNMS Pier Classroom
991 Marine Drive, San Francisco

Bring a local fisherman into your classroom!
This exciting free program will provide teachers insights and techniques on how to teach students about salmon ecology and commercial fishing in Central California.

The workshop will include:

• Presentation by local Fisherman Mike Hudson on the lifestyle and challenges of commercial salmon fishing in Central California.
• Salmon Dissection: GFNMS educator will lead teachers through an external and internal examination of an adult King Salmon to gain a deeper understanding of this animal’s adaptions and lifecycle.
• Sharing curriculum with teachers and discussing ways students can become more aware of watersheds and fishing issues.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR WORKSHOP
Cost: FREE
Contact Peter Winch at: (415) 425-6450 or pwinch@farallones.org
Space is limited.

This teacher workshop series is sponsored by the Seven Tepees Youth Program WAVES initiative and made possible through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) B-WET program.