Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium Newsletter for Teachers

[Irene Svete]

The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium's electronic newsletter for
teachers provides curriculum ideas, Internet links and other resources to
help you better meet the Washington EALRs and the National Science Education
Standards.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

-- INFORMATION ON THE COLUMBIA TRAGEDY (K-12)
-- ERC OPEN HOUSES SET FOR MARCH 1 &8 (K-12)
-- TEACHING GENETICS WORKSHOP PLANNED (9-12)
-- TWO NEW MATH & SCIENCE LESSIONS (K-8)

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INFORMATION ON THE COLUMBIA TRAGEDY (K-12)

We are saddened by the loss of UW alumnus Michael Anderson and his fellow
Columbia crewmembers. Their endeavors in space took courageous hearts and
the world needs heroes, both in the sky and on the ground. Teachers and
students who want to know more about the loss of space shuttle and its seven
astronauts, please refer to the NASA home page at

http://www.nasa.gov

A special message for students has been posted at the Educator Astronaut Web
site: 

http://edspace.nasa.gov

ERC OPEN HOUSES SET FOR MARCH 1 &8 (K-12)

In March, educators will have two chances to visit the NASA Educator
Resource Center. Open houses are planned March 1 and March 8 from 1-4 p.m.
The open house theme is Planets, Stars and Galaxies.

ERC Director Julie Lutz will be present classroom activities on these
topics. Attendees will have  an opportunity to browse through the ERC
collection of NASA education materials. The NASA ERC is located in  Room 401
Johnson Hall on the University of Washington campus. To sign-up to attend,
please call (206) 543-1943 or e-mail

nasa at u.washington.edu

TEACHING GENETICS WORKSHOP PLANNED (9-12)

The University of Washington GENETICS Project Summer Workshop 2003, now in
its fourth year, will be held Aug. 4 - 8. The workshop targets teachers of
ninth and 10th grade biology, although it is also open to teachers of
advanced biology. 

Participants explore the use of inquiry-centered strategies to teach
fundamental genetics concepts in the areas of inheritance, cell division,
DNA replication, transcription, protein translation, and evolution. Teachers
gain experience using biotechnology procedures in the classroom, as well as
inexpensive ways of modeling techniques when equipment is not available.

The workshop is free and includes a $300 stipend to help defray travel,
lodging, and parking costs. Clock hours or 3 UW credits are available. Some
homework will be required. A "genetics kit" containing resources and
materials for classroom use will be provided. Applications are due April 23.
For more information, contact Megan Brown or Maureen Munn at (206) 616-4538
or visit

http://chroma.mbt.washington.edu/outreach/genetics/workshop

TWO NEW MATH & SCIENCE LESSIONS (K-8)

National Center for Education Statistics' Student's Classroom has two new
math and science resources are available to teachers "Create a Graph" helps
students create their own graphs and charts. This online tool can be used to
make four kinds of charts and graphs: bar graphs, line graphs, area graphs,
and pie charts. For more information, visit

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/

"Explore Your Knowledge" challenges students to try their hand at fourth and
eighth grade questions in math and science. The questions are taken from the
Third International Mathematics & Science Study. To explore the site, go to

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/eyk/index.asp?flash=true

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FEEDBACK

Ideas, comments and Web sites of interest to other teachers should be sent
to Irene Svete, newsletter editor, at

isvete at ess.washington.edu

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