2017 NCGE Awards

National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) is now accepting nominations for the 2017 awards cycle. Awards are given for teaching, research, and service, and all award recipients will be honored at the 2017 National Conference on Geography Education in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

NCGE is dedicated to recognizing educators and advocates who have made outstanding contributions to geography education. NCGE's highest award is the George J Miller Award, named for NCGE's founder and long-time editor of the Journal of Geography. Award nomination materials can be submitted in the spring to the NCGE Central Office. The materials are then forwarded to the appropriate committees for evaluation. Winners are announced in early summer and recipients are recognized at a special ceremony during NCGE's annual conference.

Learn more about award deadlines and qualifications here.

NCGE's GeoCamp Iceland Institute

Explore Iceland's Changing Landscapes and Diverse Environments for Ten Days. GeoCamp Iceland is the Professional Development Experience of a Lifetime!

WHEN: July 8-17, 2017

COST: $2,500.00 plus airfare*

WHO: The GeoCamp Iceland Institute is a graduate level equivalent short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for up to twenty-five (25) in-service teachers and college/university professors who conduct professional development activities for teachers. Educators who teach any of the Social Studies, Earth or Environmental Sciences, or any subject where the applicant can make an explicit connection to the National Geography Standards within his/her course curriculum.

WHAT: Iceland’s extraordinary and unique landscapes will be the classroom and laboratory. The course will draw content from several important geographic themes including natural hazards and disaster prevention; human settlement and environmental adaptation; changing geopolitical spheres of influence; sense of place; and global environmental change. Icelandic field leaders will be our guides. We will learn directly from Iceland’s renewable energy experts, visit a fishing vessel and fish processing plant, observe active volcanoes and walk upon receding glaciers and in rift valleys. Led by local guides we will explore historic sites and enjoy Icelandic foods. Participants will be housed in apartments at the former U.S. Naval installation at Keflavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula, a thirty-minute drive from Reykjavik and 20 minutes from Iceland’s famous geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon pool and spa. Fee includes lodging, meals, ground transportation, course materials, and honoraria for expert guides and presentations. Participants will want to budget extra for incidentals and souvenirs.

HOW: Applications should be returned by January 15, 2017. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by January 25, 2017. Cross-disciplinary collaboration will be encouraged and applications from teams of teachers in the same school or school district are welcome. Participants will begin course readings and assignments in March 2017 in preparation for the fieldwork in Iceland. Some material may be presented through 1-2 live webinars. Travel arrangements will be made at this time.

GeoCamp Iceland 2017 Application

Learn more about this unique opportunity here!

2017 Rocky Mountain National Park Teacher In Residence

The Teacher in Residence (TiR) program at Rocky Mountain National Park provides opportunities for in-service teachers of Colorado's Front Range who are within a one-day's field trip distance to spend June and July working in Rocky Mountain National Park connecting with the resources and participating in a variety of duties that suit their interests and the needs of the park's education program. Teachers lead activities and develop lesson plans based on their park experience for use in their classroom and in the park. The program focuses on teachers from schools with ethnically diverse student populations, who have had little or no experience with national parks or limited opportunity to explore them. Teachers from Title I schools are especially encouraged to apply.

Program Background
Teachers spend 8-10 weeks working and living in the park. During this time, the park provides a ranger uniform, shared housing, and a stipend. Once they return to their schools, teachers bring national parks into the classroom throughout the school year. During National Park Week in April, teachers engage their classrooms and other teachers in activities that relate to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Benefits - 

To Teachers:

• Obtain a wide range of new knowledge and skills by working with park staff and partners
• Enhance their curriculum in multiple content areas
• Gain access to a wide array of teaching resources and tools 
• Fulfill a life-long dream of working in a National Park

To Schoolchildren:

• Provide an opportunity to connect to their nation's heritage in new and creative ways
• Learn about volunteering and employment with the National Park Service 
• Receive new tools and resources for exploring natural and cultural history

To Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Reach new or under-served audiences
• Build a network of enthusiastic, knowledgeable educators who are able to teach their students and colleagues about National Parks
• Enrich the park visitor experience and the education program through the expertise and programming offered by the Teacher in Residence

Potential Park Experiences
Teacher in Residence assignments and projects will depend upon the individual hired and current park projects. Training in natural and cultural history and the National Park Service mission will be provided. Duties may include observing, preparing, and presenting educational or public programs; planning and facilitating summer camp programs; developing educational and interpretive materials and media; providing community outreach; working with other divisions in the Park; and assisting with teacher workshops.

Application Process
Applications are being accepted for summer 2017. The deadline is December 23, 2016. Download an application [PDF 132kb].

More Information
For more information contact Mark De Gregorio, Education Program Manager, via e-mail or by phone (970-586-3777).

2017 American Historical Association Annual Meeting

The American Historical Association invites history educators to attend their 2017 annual meeting. Registration is only $45 ($50 after December 16). The program of events includes professional development, practical ideas for the classroom, the latest historical scholarship, and opportunities to share best practices. Register early to reserve your spot in Saturday’s K-12 Workshop on using primary sources to teach the complexity of westward expansion. Workshop facilitators Patricia Nelson Limerick, Center of the American West; Brenda Santos, Achievement First and member of AHA Council; and Fritz Fischer, University of Northern Colorado will guide small groups through this interactive half-day session.

Teaching is an essential skill for any historian. That's why AHA17's teaching and learning program caters to all career stages and all levels of history. You will find numerous opportunities to enhance your teaching and discover more about the value of learning history. Learn more about session at their Teaching and Learning at AHA17 Guide.

Explore the AHA’s online resources for history education:

Teaching and Learning video library

Includes videos from past K-12 Educator Workshops, as well as interviews and other sessions

Classroom materials

Materials you can use in designing your own courses: syllabi, reading lists, sample assignments, course modules, etc. These are organized thematically, by resource type, and by the project or initiative that created the resource.

Approaches to Teaching

Information on the initiatives and links to resources that will help you think about new ways of approaching teaching.

The Kristin Alvarez Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Kristin J. Alvarez, past president of the National Council for Geographic Education, was committed to Geographic Education for over 30 years. Selected as a Florida teacher for the National Geographic Society’s Summer Geographic Institute of 1989, Kristin became a National Geographic Teacher Consultant and active contributor to the Florida Geographic Alliance. She completed a doctorate of Geography Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, and became an Assistant and Associate Professor of Geography and Social Studies Education at Keene State University in New Hampshire. While she served as Coordinator of the New Hampshire Geographic Alliance for 5 years, she completed a graduate certificate in GIS from Eastern Michigan University in 2006. Dr. Alvarez immediately began integrating geospatial technologies into her NHGA summer institute to introduce GIS and GPS into K-12 curricula. In 2009, Dr. Alvarez was invited to join the faculty of the University of Redlands in a new initiative to develop teacher education and geospatial technology offerings, and co-designed its innovative Spatial Literacy for Educators Program. She served as NCGE President in 2010. Dr. Alvarez died at home in January, 2012.

To continue the spirit of Dr. Alvarez’s work with hundreds of educators across the United States, the Kristin Alvarez Memorial NCGE President Scholarship has been awarded annually for five years since 2012. The scholarship recognizes and supports an educator who demonstrates effort and interest in furthering Spatial Literacy, Geographic Education, Pre-service Teacher Education, or Geospatial Technologies such as GIS, GPS, or online geospatial teaching and learning.

You are invited to contribute to the Memorial NCGE President Kristin Alvarez Scholarship. 2017 is the 5th and final year of the Memorial Scholarship.

Applications are DUE: December 31, 2016.

If you wish to apply, nominate a colleague, or contribute, please see the
brochure and application forms.

BSCS Pilot-Test Classroom Materials

BSCS is developing middle and high school health and science literacy curriculum modules and needs your help to pilot-test the modules in your classroom. The modules are part of an NIH-funded project, Developing Skills in Health Literacy.

The pilot test will take place February-March 2017 and will require approximately 6-8 class periods. Upon completion of the pilot test, you will receive a $300 stipend.

If you are interested in pilot-testing the curriculum modules, please fill out the application.

Deadline: Dec. 16, 2016

Please contact awestbrook@bscs.org or (719) 219-4139 if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance for your interest and consideration.

NAAEE: Bringing New Ideas and Innovation to the Field of EE

Isn’t that Spatial? Teaching about the Environment, Examining Field Data, and Telling Your Environmental Story with Web Mapping Technology

December 6th at 3:00pm - 4:00pm ET

Join geographer and educator Dr. Joseph Kerski as he explores why and how to teach Environmental Education with today’s web mapping technologies. These technologies, such as ArcGIS Online, allow your students to collect data in citizen science mode via probes, smartphones, and GPS receivers in the field, allow you and your students to map and analyze the patterns from your field-collected data, and analyze land use change, coastal erosion, and other environmental issues from local community greenways to world ecoregion, and everything in between.

Map data collected in the field in an instant. Integrate video, text, and photograph to communicate the results of your investigations via “story maps.” The maps you create and use reside on the web, so no software is required beyond a web browser, and the maps can be easily changed and shared. The skills gained from these map-driven investigations include critical and spatial thinking, working with real data, inquiry, career and technology education, and are aligned with environmental education content standards.

Register here.

Click here to learn more about NAAEE's Monthly Webinar Series: Bringing New Ideas and Innovation to the Field of EE.

BSCS - A Science Education Curriculum Study

BSCS is developing an assessment about teaching science in elementary and middle school. They are seeking your ideas and expertise about teaching and learning science through an online survey.

If you currently teach or are training to teach science in grades 3 through 8, please complete the survey. The survey will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, and you will need audio on your computer. Qualifying teachers and preservice teachers will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for completing the survey!

By completing the survey, you’ll assist BSCS in helping to develop a better understanding of the professional knowledge of science teachers.

If you have any questions about the survey or the National Science Foundation project, please contact pcklex@bscs.org.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. They look forward to hearing from you.

Google Education on Air

Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher (Online)

WHEN: December 3, 2016

WHAT: Google Education on Air is a free, online conference on December 3rd for educators to connect with and learn from each other. Teachers will get tips and tricks to use in the classroom, as well as hear from change makers and thought leaders like the National Teacher of the Year, Jahana Hayes, Second Lady Jill Biden and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Watch the video to see highlights from the 2015 event.

Sign up here!

QUESTIONS? REACH OUT TO: Mo Fong

2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program

Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program!

Looking for a professional development opportunity to take you to places like the Galapagos, Arctic Svalbard, Alaska, and Antarctica? Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Society's Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program brings exemplary educators committed to geography education on expeditions aboard Lindblad Expeditions ships to these locations and more in 2017. Applications are now being accepted for 2017 fellows.

Named in honor of Gilbert M. Grosvenor, Chairman Emeritus of National Geographic and the Education Foundation Board of Governors, the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program extends his legacy of excellence in geographic education by recognizing the efforts of K-12 formal and informal educators from the 50 U.S. states, Canada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through this unique field-based experience.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 EST on December 31, 2016. To learn more and submit an application, please visit NatGeoEd.org/gtf.

Colorado State Senator Rollie Heath

What to make a difference in policy at the state and local level? Learn how at FOSEP's next event.

Visit with Colorado State Senator Rollie Heath 

When: Wednesday, November 30th 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Where: CIRES Auditorium, University of Colorado Boulder

Followed by coffee, tea, and cookies in CIRES 340

Topic questions:

• Interface between public and policy makers - how can we effectively communicate our opinions and what we are passionate about to our lawmakers?
• What are the deficits in communication between scientists and policy makers?
• How do scientists and citizens get on the radar of public officials/policymakers?
• What is a day in the life of a state legislator/policymaker?
• What issues have you been involved with, and what issues are you most passionate about?

For more information about the Senator, please see his website: http://senrollieheath.com/. 

Golden Triangle Education Block Party 2016

Enjoy free admission to the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and History Colorado Center and learn about the rich educational offerings available at each institution. You’ll get exclusive access to Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume at the Denver Art Museum.

Light refreshments will be served.

Online registration is required.

This event is open to educators only. Show your educator ID badge for entry.

PLEASE NOTE: Field Trip reservations for Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume are filling up quickly. To start a reservation for your school, complete a field trip reservation request now, or be prepared to book during the block party. 

Contact group sales with any questions at 720-913-0088 or email groupsales@denverartmuseum.org.

Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP)

The Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) grant application is open. TCLP is fully-funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and helps U.S. K-12 schools to launch new or expand existing Arabic or Chinese language programs.

TCLP makes it easy for U.S. schools to grow their critical language programs by placing fully-funded teachers from Egypt, Morocco, or China to teach Arabic or Chinese as a foreign language for an academic year. By sharing their languages and cultures, the teachers bring global competencies to their host schools and communities. Host a teacher in 2017 by starting an APPLICATION today.

Since 2006, TCLP has sponsored 212 highly trained teachers that have worked in 148 schools across 37 states and impacted over 73,000 students. TCLP teachers have also collectively conducted over 14,200 hours of cultural outreach to bring international experiences to their host schools and communities.

To learn more about hosting a teacher at your school and to speak with host school alumni about their experiences with TCLP attend a live informational webchat at 4:00pm (EST) on one of these dates:

• Thursday, December 8, 2016
• Wednesday, January 4, 2017

To attend a webinar or to apply to TCLP, please visit http://tclprogram.org/host-school-application. 

The application deadline for TCLP host schools is Monday, January 23, 2017 at 11:59pm EST.

Engaging 4th Graders in Spatial Analysis with GIS

Tech Integration RFSD - Helping teachers integrate technology to enhance learning

Betsy McMichael, Katelyn Foster, Dave Plumb and Kristen Gracy, the 4th Grade Team at Crystal River Elementary School, are using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to engage students in exploring Colorado history, geography, and culture, as well as energy resources, with interactive online maps.

GIS is the industry-standard software for professionals in many fields, but it is now accessible on student Chromebooks via GeoInquiries and StoryMaps.

Interested? They have a free institutional account that you and your students can use to explore, analyze, and even create layered maps on any topic. Email Ben to get started.

Check out Betsy McMichael's GeoInquiries Video here.

Visit Crystal River Elementary School's Blog to learn about other Tech Integrations.

Scholarships for Amazon Rainforest PD Workshop

$1000 Scholarships for Workshop in Peru

Scholarships are available for K-16 science and environmental educators for the July 1-11, 2017 Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru. Application deadline is Feb. 1st, 2017.

Join Al Stenstrup, former Director of Education for Project Learning Tree; Dr. Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dr. David Pearson, Wildlife Travellers’ Guide to Peru; along with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you:

• Participate in citizen science projects and inquiry based field studies on a 1/4-mile Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the most biologically diverse environments on the planet.
• Spend a day in an Amazon village and experience the role of education in creating a sustainable future for Amazon children.
• Explore sustainability, conservation, and field work with indigenous communities in the Amazon.
• Work with fellow educators to develop strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your NGSS classroom.

Project Learning Tree and BirdSleuth resources plus 50 Arizona State University PD hours included. Academic credit and Machu Picchu extension optional. Get the details and download a syllabus and scholarship application at:http://www.amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy.html

Contact christa@amazonworkshops.com or 1-800-431-2624 for more information.

Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) CHAIR SEARCH

The Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) is a coordinating committee representing the four national geography organizations (Association of American Geographers; American Geographical Society; National Council for Geographic Education; and National Geographic Society) on projects and communications regarding geography education. The Committee consists of representatives appointed by the four organizations. The GENIP Coordinating Committee is currently seeking nominees interested in serving as Chair of the committee.

The person serving as Chair will be responsible for coordinating and administrating the activities of the GENIP Coordinating Committee. Nominees should be knowledgeable about issues related to geography education especially at the K-12 level. The Committee has preference for a candidate with knowledge of and experience with geography education policies, state and national standards, curricula, and assessments, and other non-profit, educational organizations. This position is a part-time position to facilitate the committee’s work, monitor work on GENIP projects, and develop written responses on behalf of GENIP to issues as they arise. The Chair will receive an annual stipend that is currently set at $6,000.00 paid semi-annually in equal installments. The two-year term for Chair may be renewable as determined by the committee.

Interested applicants should submit a current CV (including three references) and a cover letter addressing why they are interested in the position as GENIP Chair and describing the expertise and skills they would bring to the position. CV and cover letter should be e-mailed to heffron.susan@gmail.com.

Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2016. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Visit National Center for Research in Geography Education at: http://ncrge-rcn.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

GIS Course with Dr. Joseph Kerski

Telling Your Story with Esri Story Maps COURSE 

Description:
This course will enable participants to understand why stories can be effectively told with today’s interactive, web-based story maps, learn how to teach and assess student work with story maps, and learn how to create story maps that incorporate sounds, video, photographs, narrative, and other multimedia. Through readings, videos, quizzes, discussion with your colleagues, and hands-on activities, you will learn how and why to create story maps using the ArcGIS Online platform and be confident that you can use these tools in your instruction.

Course Background:

For thousands of years, maps have been used to tell stories. These maps told which lands were “known” and which lands were “terra incognita”, coastlines and new political boundaries, and routes of famous explorers. As in the past, maps are used today to tell stories about the regions, places, and physical and cultural characteristics of our world.

Today’s maps are detailed, allowing exploration of the median age and income of a community’s neighborhoods and the chemical conditions of water in specific wells or soil in a specific field. Maps give information about data that is occurring in real time—such as current wildfire extents, weather, earthquakes, or the location of all of a city’s buses. Maps describe historical events from famous battles to land use changes over time in a rainforest. Maps can be in two dimensions, and three dimensions, and can be accessed on any device—smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer. They can be embedded in web pages and other multimedia and other tools, and can be updated instantly by citizen scientists using their smartphones. Maps cover thousands of relevant themes and phenomena and scales–from local to global scale.

Another key difference between modern maps versus those of the past is that modern maps are much more than reference documents. True, maps still show us where things are. But they are valued because they help us understand the “whys” of “where” – by allowing us to use spatial analytical tools to detect patterns, relationships, and trends. Thus, maps have become critical analytical tools that can help us solve the problems in our world that are growing more complex and increasingly affect our everyday lives. These include epidemics, biodiversity loss, natural hazards, agricultural viability, political instability, climate change, food security, energy, water quality and quantity, and many more.

Globally, you could make maps of any of the above themes. In your own community, you could tell stories about sports, community gardens, housing type, schools and libraries and other community resources, tree cover, litter and graffiti, zoning changes, historical settlement, how your community compares to others across your region or to those halfway around the world, and other aspects of your community through these live story maps. Students can use story maps to report on the results of their investigations. As a researcher, you or your students could use these maps to investigate pertinent issues in human health, sociology, political geography, public safety, or a host of other disciplines. As an instructor, you could use maps to tell stories to enhance your lessons in courses ranging from geography to biology to history to language arts to earth science to mathematics, and other disciplines. You can use story maps to assess student work and a method whereby students can communicate their investigations to you and to their peers.

Begins Winter 2017 Term: 4 January 2017 – 8 February 2017
Price: $95.00
For More Information Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-iyoDcFnuQ
To register for this course, click here.
Carolyn Gardner: carolyngardner@enetlearning.org or Joseph Kerski (below).

Facilitator and Contact Information:

Instructor: Joseph J. Kerski, Ph.D., GISP.
Email: jkerski@esri.com
Website: http://www.josephkerski.com
Video Channel: http://www.youtube.com/geographyuberalles
Twitter: http://twitter.com/josephkerski
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephkerski
Text and Voice: 303-625-3925

Population Education’s World of 7 Billion Video Contest

Back by popular demand, the Population Education’s World of 7 Billion student video contest can help you bring technology and creativity into your high school and middle school geography classes. The contest challenges students to create a short (60 seconds or less) video illustrating the connection between world population growth and one of three global challenges: climate change, ocean health, or rapid urbanization.

Students can win up to $1,000 and their teachers will receive free curriculum resources.

The contest deadline is February 23, 2017.

Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found at https://www.worldof7billion.org/student-video-contest/. World of 7 Billion student video contest is back for the 2016-2017 school year. The contest is open to all high school and middle school students and the deadline for submissions is February 23th, 2017. Participating teachers can receive free curriculum resources and the student winners receive cash prizes.

See contest flyer for more information.

Rocky Mountain Map Society - Chet Van Duzer

Chet Van Duzer - “New Light on Henries Marcellus’ World Map at Yale (c. 1491): Multispectral imaging and Early Cartography”

When: November 15 at 6:30PM

Where: Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Room

This program is free and open to the community.

Chet Van Duzer has published extensively on medieval and Renaissance maps in journals such as Imago Mundi, Terrae Incognitae and Word & Image. He is also the author of Johann Schöner’s Globe of 1515: Transcription and Study, and (with John Hessler) Seeing the World Anew: The Radical Vision of Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 & 1516 World Maps. His book Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps was published in 2013 by the British Library. In 2014, the Library of Congress published a study of Christopher Columbus’s Book of Privileges which he co-authored with John Hessler and Daniel De Simone.

His current book projects are a study of Henricus Martellus’s world map of c. 1491 (held at the Beinecke Library at Yale University) based on multispectral imagery, and the commentary for a facsimile of the 1550 manuscript world map by Pierre Desceliers, which will be published by the British Library. Mr. Van Duzer will talk about this project, explain why he felt that the Martellus map was an excellent candidate for multispectral images, show some of the results, and give an account of the place of the Martellus map in late 15th and early 16th century cartography.

Event: There will be an informal celebration of RMMS’ 25th anniversary at Pints Pub, 221 W. 13th Avenue (a short walk from the library) following Chet’s talk, so you can keep your parking spot. No reservations, but please RSVP to Wes Brown if you can make it. RMMS has a private room that holds up to 33 people, and you can order off the menu (drinks are extra).

GEEO Teacher Travel Programs

Travel the world affordably, earn professional development credit, and bring global understanding into your classroom!

Founded in 2007, Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 1600 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO educators can earn professional development credits and optional graduate credit while seeing the world. GEEO's trips are 7 to 21 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. In addition to amazing tour leaders, many of the programs are accompanied by university faculty that are experts on the destination. The deposit is $250 for each program and then the final payment is due 60 days before departure.

GEEO also provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators, administrators, retired educators, as well as educators’ guests.

GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2016: Bali/Lombok, Bangkok to Hanoi, China, Costa Rica, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India/Nepal, Bhutan, Ireland, Armenia/Georgia, Italy, Multi-Stan, Antarctica, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Peruvian Amazon, Peruvian Andes, Southern Africa, Vietnam/Cambodia, Balkans and, a Mt. Kilimanjaro climb. The registration deadline is June 1st, but space is limited and many programs will be full well before the deadline.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9 AM-9 PM EST.

2016 Green Schools Summit

The Green Schools Summit is an annual education and networking event hosted by USGBC Colorado and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers from the Green Schools Initiative.

It is Colorado's only conference dedicated to convening green building industry professionals, school decision makers, educators and parents. The event provides a truly unique opportunity for open and productive dialogue on how to create better learning environments for our kids.

Summit Theme: "Beyond the Walls"

In addition to their positive environmental attributes, green schools support the health (physical, social, intellectual) of students, teachers, and staff by providing a healthy, safe, comfortable, and functional physical environment.

The Summit will explore how to think outside the box, or Beyond the Walls, through making connections beyond the classroom, beyond the school building, beyond the district, beyond physical and virtual borders, and beyond convention.

To register, please click here.

Girls in STEM: Tech Retreat

Girls in STEM: Tech Retreat at Keystone Science School

November 4-6, 2016
For Girls in Grades 5th - 12th

Program Overview:

Keystone Science School’s Girls in STEM: Tech Retreat focuses on addressing challenges experienced by females entering STEM careers. Specifically, participants will work with female mentors as they learn about how careers in technology incorporate components of Computer Sciences, Information Systems and Web Development and Design. The participants will use technology to solve community challenges by creating tech based prototypes that utilize a variety of applied technologies. As participants work through the engineering design process they will also incorporate entrepreneurial skills by bringing their creations to the ‘market’ and using feedback from the audience to make revisions to their prototypes.

A key element of the program is a collaboration with the Breckenridge Film Festival. On Saturday, November 5th Breckenridge Film Festival will be hosting the film Code: Debugging the Gender Gap for the participants of the Girl in STEM program and the greater community. Following the film, a breakout discussion will be facilitated centered around how the community can collaborate to create a more inclusive STEM workforce.

Click here to register.

NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Teacher at Sea Program is to provide teachers pre-kindergarten through college-level teachers a hands-on, real-world research experience working at sea with world-renowned NOAA scientists, thereby giving teachers unique insight into oceanic and atmospheric research crucial to the nation.

NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program will accept applications for the 2017 season November 1 - 30, 2016. Applications and references are only accepted through our online application system. The application period closes at 5:00 pm ET on November 30, 2016.

Until then, interested applicants should:

1. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about program eligibility and expectations.

2. Download the pdf preview of the application to review the questions that NOAA asks and, if so inclined, begin preparing responses.

Population Education Professional Development Course

Earn professional development hours or university credit with Population Education

Population Education is excited to announce the launch of its first online professional development course for science and social studies educators of grades 6-12. Discover student-centered learning strategies that use contemporary issues and real-world data to examine the social and environmental impacts of human population and engage in meaningful dialogue with teachers across the world. If you teach Environmental Science, World Geography, Human Geography, Biology/Life Science, World History, or the AP counterparts, this course is perfect for you! The course is asynchronous, which means students can work at their own leisure and pace. There will be online discussion boards, journals and a final project, all built to provide students with meaningful feedback and materials to use within their own classroom.

Teachers can choose to earn one hour of graduate education credit from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) or 45.00 professional development clock hours (4.5 CEUs) for successfully completing the full eight weeks.

Class size will be capped at 30 participants, so don't wait to sign up. The cost will be $80.00 to earn 4.5 CEUs or $155.00 (for credit) + $80.00 (for CEUs) to earn credit through UMKC.

 For more information and to register, visit https://courses.populationeducation.org.

UCAR Brief Survey for Science Educators

The UCAR Center for Science Education is interested in learning how they can better meet the needs of science educators. The survey pertains to Earth and atmospheric science education resources, teacher professional development, and citizen science.

They are asking all science educators for their input. Your responses will be anonymous and the survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Feel free to pass this along to your fellow science educators too.

Thank you for helping the UCAR learn more about you and what you're looking for.

Click here to complete the survey.

Lecture: Hats, Horses, and Homes: Unscripted

What can we really know about people from their hats, horses, and homes? State Historian Patty Limerick will ask this question of three experts, inviting each to view History Colorado’s photography exhibit, By Their Hats, Horses, and Homes, We Shall Know Them, during the day and share their reflections on the photographs in a program that night. In addition to Dr Limerick as moderator, the panel will feature Dr. Mark Gelernter, Dean of the College of Architecture at CU Denver; Janelle Sutton, a historian of apparel and theatrical costume designer; and Julia Frankebach, a PhD student at CU Boulder whose research focuses on horses.

When:
Tuesday, October 18th
7:00PM to 9:00PM

Location:
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203

Cost:
$10 Members; $15 Nonmembers

Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 303-866-2394, or at the door.

Project Polar Bear Grant

Environmental Education and Science Teacher Organizations:

Every year Project Polar Bear challenges student groups across the globe to take action on climate change. With the guidance of an advisor, middle and high school groups compete for a grant by creating a plan for a project that will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and engage their communities. This can be a plan for a new project or a proposal to continue an existing project. 

The 2016-2017 project categories are Transportation, Energy Savings, Sustainable Food Systems, and Community Engagement Through Art and Advocacy. Students and advisors track their progress throughout the competition through photos, research, and on social media. The culmination of the project is a formal proposal to the PBI judging team. The top three high-scoring teams receive a grant of $1,000, $750, and $300, respectively, to continue their projects. 

Registration is open October 1, 2016 - November 25, 2016. Teams work on their projects through March 15, 2017 and they'll announce the winners on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

This contest is sponsored by Polar Bears International (PBI), the world's leading polar bear conservation group—dedicated to saving polar bears by conserving their sea ice habitat.

For additional information, please visit the PPB Website. 

CNS Education & Outreach Center Fall Event

Katherine Courage, an award-winning science journalist, author, and communicator, will speak at the College of Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center Fall Event.

Courage will shed light on how the public learns about science today—from traditional media to social media and beyond. She has worked as an editor for Scientific American and written for The New York Times, Wired, Popular Science and others, as well as authored two books. She will share what she has learned from her years in the field—and share ways to inspire the most interest. Her talk will be relevant to classroom teachers, university faculty, and high school through grad students doing scientific research.

When:
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Refreshments will be served.

Where:
CNS Education & Outreach Center
Third floor of the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building
1231 East Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Parking is free beginning at 4:00PM and there is a lot just east of the building.

RSVP to andrew.warnock@colostate.edu to reserve a seat.

For more information please visit: www.cns-eoc.colostate.edu/events.html

Denver Broncos Tackle STEM Coach of the Month

The Denver Broncos Tackle STEM Coach of the Month program recognizes high-performing STEM educators with a distinguished award and prize package to celebrate innovations and breakthroughs in STEM education across the state. The Denver Broncos Tackle STEM program is effected in partnership with Colorado Technology Association and sponsored by Arrow Electronics and Bayou Well Services.

Colorado STEMworks programs are eligible to nominate high-performing STEM educators for the opportunity to receive the Denver Broncos Tackle STEM Coach of the Month award.

Award-winning educators and their students will receive the following prize package:

• STEM-focused tour of Sports Authority Field at Mile High for winning educator and up to 25 students, including transportation stipend and invitation to host one class session at the stadium. 
• Denver Broncos Tackle STEM jersey to proudly display in their classroom to recognize their accomplishments in championing STEM in Colorado.

Eligibility: Only Colorado STEMworks programs are eligible to submit educator nominations at this time.

Nominations are due Wednesday, October 12 by 5:00PM

Please use the following link to complete and submit your nomination application: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3072821/2016-Denver-Broncos-Tackle-STEM-Nomination-Application.

Please contact CTA staff at cyrus@coloradotechnology.org with questions.

Wings Over the Rockies ALAS

Wings Over the Rockies will be hosting the first ever ALAS. This is a special event celebrating opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with an initial focus on Latino families. This event will be FREE for all families. The purpose of this event is to change the representation of Latinos in these professions. They need 400 Latino families, especially with kids ages 7-14 to come have fun and learn about STEM careers.

The event will take place Sunday, Oct. 2nd 12:00pm-5pm at Wings Over the Rockies Museum 7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230.

The Agenda :

12pm - Lunch, registration and networking

12:30-1:30pm - Keynote address and welcome, Oscar Munoz, United Airlines CEO, Rico Munn,  

     Aurora Public Schools superintendent, door prizes

1:30, 2:30, 3:30pm - Workshops/sessions to explore STEM topics: 

     Being A Geneticist – May Be In       

     My Genes!

     Being An Aviation Planner – May Be The Plan For Me!
     Career exploration: How do I enter STEM fields?
     Art Station Titan
     Makerspace: Designing a colony on Mars
     Meet a STEM professional

1:20-4:30pm - Activity tables: 

     Winging it! Birds and flight.
     Rockets by DMNS.
     NREL: Exploring energy, 3 stations
     Build a Wind Powered Car!
     Exploring STEM concepts in 3D
     WAA Student Showcase
     Student activity tables (Mines/CU Denver)
     Wings Aerospace Academy student showcase
     Scale It!
     Healthcare exploration (TBD)
     Planes (TBD)
     Air Force Academy (TBD)

4:30pm - Closing and door prizes

Please register at: http://wingsmuseum.org/stem

El Museo Wings será anfitrión de un evento especial llamado ALAS. Este evento es una celebración en familia de las oportunidades en las carreras de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM en sus siglas en inglés). El evento es gratuito y esta diseñado para que estudiantes Latinos y Latinas y sus familias conozcan mas sobre las ciencias del aire y del espacio. Habrán talleres divertidos, presentaciones interesantes y manualidades que pueden hacer y llevar a casa. Aprenderán mucho sobre las carreras en STEM y la industria aeroespacial.

Registración gratuita en: http://wingsmuseum.org/stem

PolarTREC Field Research

PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) is a program in which K-12 teachers spend 3-6 weeks participating in hands-on field research experiences in the polar regions. 

The goal of PolarTREC is to invigorate polar science education and understanding by bringing K-12 educators and polar researchers together.

The main components of PolarTREC Include:

• provide hands-on field research experiences that are implemented in the polar regions;
• broadly disseminate teacher experiences to students, professionals, and the public;
• develop a sustainable learning community; and
• provide clear and appropriate measures of project success.

The core of the PolarTREC program is the field research experience, whereby PolarTREC teachers participate in field research in the Arctic or Antarctic for three to six weeks. Selected research projects represent the leading edge of scientific inquiry and include the K-12 teacher as an integral part of the science team.

The 2017-2018 Application Period is now open. The application deadline is Monday, 10 October 2016.

For more information, visit www.polartrec.com

Scholarships for K-12 Geography Educators

$1000 Scholarships for Amazon Rainforest PD Workshop 

Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest + Machu Picchu 

The July 1-11, 2017 Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru is a cross-curricular professional development workshop for K-12 formal and informal educators to learn and use:

• 21st Century Instruction: 5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ STEM
• Inquiry Protocols & Resources: Project Learning Tree ~ Cornell Lab of Ornithology ~ & More!
• Global and Cultural Perspectives: Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education

Join Al Stenstrup, Project Learning Tree; Dr. Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dr. David Pearson, Wildlife Travellers’ Guide to Peru; along with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you:

• Participate in citizen science projects and inquiry based field studies on a 1/4-mile Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the most biologically diverse environments on the planet.
• Spend a day in an Amazon village as you explore the complexities of sustainability and the role of education in creating a sustainable future for Amazon children.
• Work with fellow educators to explore strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your classroom.

PLT Certification, BirdSleuth resources and 50 Arizona State University PD Hours included. Academic Credit and Machu Picchu Extension optional. $1000 scholarship deadline February 1, 2017. With a scholarship, Academy program fees are $1395 + air. Space is limited - Register early to secure your spot!

Get the details and download a syllabus and scholarship application at: http://www.amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy.html

Contact christa@amazonworkshops.com or 1-800-431-2624 for more information.

Settling the West: High Altitude Ranching

 

Settling the West: High Altitude Ranching – TPS Teacher Workshop
September 24-25 


Join Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) at MSU Denver, Colorado Encyclopedia, and History Colorado for a two-day workshop surrounding Hutchinson Homestead primary sources.

Overview:

• Use primary sources and the Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center to learn about high country ranching, homesteading, historic preservation, and Central Colorado in this hands-on workshop which will immerse you in the history of our state.

• Explore this 148-year old historic homestead to explore themes of literacy, STEM, and social studies.

• Take home a wealth of strategies for use in the classroom which will help meet Colorado academic standards.

Light Lunch is included each day. Certificates of participation and contact hours will be available.

Program Details:
Time: Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 8am-4pm
Location: Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, 8913 W. Hwy 50, Salida
Cost: $25

Space is Limited – Pre-registration required. Registration Deadline is Thursday, Sept. 22

To register, click HERE!

For more information contact Andrea Coen: 719-239-0955 or andrea@guidestonecolorado.org.

Colorado Science EdCamp

Colorado Science EdCamp

As the popularity of EdCamps has been growing over the past few years, EdCamp felt the need to provide an opportunity for discussion, lesson sharing, and inquiry specifically around science education. They are hoping to attract a diverse group of science educators from around Colorado. They are creating an environment that will foster an open relationship between these educators, and begin a dialogue about science teaching. This will be a great opportunity to share resources and expertise with colleagues from various fields.

On October 29, 2016, the first ever Colorado Science EdCamp will occur at Ralston Valley High School, in Arvada, CO. EdCamp, also called an “unconference,” is free, and provides a space for educators to share instructional strategies, technologies, and philosophies to transform education for all students.

Sessions are planned that day based on participants needs and expertise, and attendance is based on the “law of two feet:” if a session is not meeting your needs, you may move to another session.

For more information about the basic tenets of EdCamp click HERE!

The Colorado Alliance Environmental Education Certificate

Certification for Environmental Education

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN:

Building and demonstrating strong foundations in environmental literacy?
Positioning yourself for success within the environmental education profession?
Helping to build a network of highly qualified environmental educators in Colorado?
Personalizing and tailoring your own professional development?

If SO, CERTIFICATION IS FOR YOU!

The certification program sets specific standards of knowledge, skills, and experience that highly qualified Environmental Educators in Colorado should be able to demonstrate. It is a competency based program - one where the applicant will demonstrate what they know and can do by building a portfolio. The competencies for Certification are based on the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education and Colorado Guidelines for Environmental Educators. You can build your portfolio individually, at your own pace or participate in CAEE's online course.

Whether you are new to the field or have years of experience, the certification program can help you grow as an environmental educator. There are two levels of certification and the portfolio requirement allows you to submit work that is relevant to you.

FALL 2016 PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE

Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens: National Academy for Civics and Government

Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens: National Academy for Civics and Government

The Center for Civic Education is delighted to announce that the National Endowment for the Humanities has made a grant that will allow the Center to offer a three-week NEH Summer Institute in the summer of 2017 entitled Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens: The National Academy for Civics and Government. 

The Institute will be held in Los Angeles July 8–29, 2017, and the academic director is Will Harris. It will be open to educators from public and private high schools, middle schools, and upper elementary schools. The Institute, through a grant provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, will provide 25 Americans and up to five international educators the opportunity to engage in serious study and seminar-style discussion of basic ideas of political theory, the principles of the founding of the Constitution of the United States, and the values of American constitutional democracy. 

Applications will be available on the Center’s website (civiced.org) in late fall.

For information please contact John Hale at Hale@civiced.org.

The Civic Canopy
Colorado We the People, Project Citizen, I-Civics Programs
303.321.3411 (c) 303.908.8482