Grades:K-12

Sat., April 5, 2008
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani

During this workshop we will present lessons plans that explore Sun-Earth concepts such as the seasons, space weather, eclipses, and solar energy. We'll present content and resources related to Sun-Earth Day 2008: Space Weather Around the World . We live in the atmosphere of a dynamic, magnetic star that interacts with the Earth and the planets beyond. Prepare for an international celebration of the Sun's domain and influence! We will feature special afternoon breakout sessions for elementary and middle/high school grades.

Lunch is free. Parking is free. Plus we will distribute several free NASA classroom materials, including GEMS guides, and elementary lessons from Eye on the Sky ( http://www.eyeonthesky.org/ ).

Register (Registration deadline: 5 pm - April 3rd)

Agenda (48 KB)

Ready-to-Go Space Science Activities for the K-5 Classroom

Grades: K-5

Fri., March 28, 2008
12:30 -1:30 PM

NSTA Conference

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 157B
Boston , MA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani

Register at the NSTA website

Grades: middle/high school

Sat., March 29, 2008
8:00 - 9:00 AM

NSTA Conference

The Westin Boston Waterfront, Grand Ballroom E
Boston , MA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez , Laura Peticolas

Come explore the nature and cause of solar flares, the solar system's largest explosions. Learn about classroom activities involving physical science, reading, and math standards.

Register at the NSTA website

Cool Astronomy

Grades: middle to high school

Sat., March 29, 2008
9:30 - 10:30 AM

NSTA Conference

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Room 259B

Boston , MA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez , Greg Schultz

Learn about the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and what astronomers learn by studying objects in the universe using this invisible light.

Register at the NSTA website

NASA: STEREO (IMPACT) Mission Presents: The Physics of the Sun

Grades: middle to high school

Sat., March 29, 2008
12:30 - 1:30 PM

The Westin Boston Waterfront, Grand Ballroom E

Boston , MA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas , Bryan Mendez

Learn an engaging way of teaching the electromagnetic spectrum in one class period, including scientists' discoveries about the Sun from studying it in different wavelengths.

Register at the NSTA website

Sat., March 29, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 PM

The Westin Boston Waterfront, Commonwealth A

Boston , MA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani

Register at the NSTA website

Grades: 1-12

Sat., Feb. 23, 2008
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani

During this workshop we will present lessons plans that explore concepts in astronomy such as the size and scale of the Universe and the electromagnetic spectrum. We'll present content on the lives and death of stars, the Pluto controversy, and a new NASA mission. We'll also introduce you to an online project that allows you and your students to help search for interstellar dust. We will feature special afternoon breakout sessions for elementary and middle/high school grades.

Lunch is free. Parking is free. Plus we will distribute several free NASA classroom materials, including the GEMS guide Invisible Universe for those in the 5-12 breakout.

Register (Registration deadline Feb. 20).

Agenda (40 KB)

Grades: 9-12

October 26, 2007
8:00 - 9:00 AM

Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, Seaview B

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Bryan Mendez

Learn about the effect of the sun on dynamic auroras, and how to teach calculations of average speed and percentages using real data associated with Earth’s magnetic field and auroras.

Register with California Science Teachers Assocation

Learning the Real Reasons for the Seasons

Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

October 26, 2007
12:00 - 1:00 PM

Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, Seaview B

Presenters: Greg Schultz, Bryan Mendez

Experience hands-on activities that address common misconceptions and aid in understanding the causes of seasons—and how to help students better learn this subject. Participants will receive GEMS/NASA materials.

Register with California Science Teachers Assocation

Exploring Magnetism in Space Science

Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

October 26, 2007
1:30 - 2:30 PM

Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, Seaview B

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Bryan Mendez

Join us in exploring fun, hands-on activities and strategies to teach the basic concepts of magnetism and its importance in the sun-earth connection.

Register with California Teachers Assocation

Cool Astronomy

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

October 26, 2007
3:00 - 4:00 PM

Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, Seaview B

Presenters: Greg Schultz, Bryan Mendez

Learn about the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and what astronomers learn by studying objects in the universe using NASA missions with telescopes sensitive to this invisible light.

Register with California Science Teachers Assocation

The Year of the Sun

Grades: Pre K, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13+

October 27, 2007

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Long Beach Convention Center, Rm. 104 C

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

Scientists and educators around the world are participating in the International Heliophysical Year. This world-wide effort has been organized to bring about a greater understanding of the space influenced by the Sun, the heliosphere. Come learn about our dynamic star, the Sun, and discover the dramatic impact it has on Earth and throughout the Solar System.

Register with California Science Teachers Assocation

Living with a Star: From Sunscreen to Space Weather

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

October 27, 2007

1:30 - 4:30 PM

Westin Long Beach, Shanghai Room

Presenters: Greg Schultz

Ticket required $35.00

Through engaging activities, teachers and their students will gain an enhanced understanding of the dynamic Sun and aspects of the Sun-Earth system that affect life and society. Activities include “The Mystery,” “Energy From the Sun,” “Balloon/Rocket Mission,” and “Ultraviolet Experiments.” This is designed as a hands-on professional development experience for teachers, involving them in actively investigating Sun-Earth phenomena and interpreting results.

Register with California Science Teachers Assocation

GEMS Site Launch

Grades 6-9

July 17-18, 2007

Baton Rouge, LA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

CSE@SSL Space Science
1-Day Workshop Double-Feature: "Nature's Biggest Blasts & Auroras in the Sky with Atoms"

Grades: 7-12

July 28, 2007

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Kevin McLin, Laura Peticolas, Kevin Hurley

Learn about nature's biggest blasts, cosmic gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and the exciting northern and southern lights, called the aurora. GRBs are thought to be the results of either a hypernovae explosion (the hyper-violent death of the most massive stars) or the merger of extremely compact objects such as two neutron stars. Both events release enormous bursts of gamma rays and the end state is a new black hole. Auroras are result of electrons being accelerated into Earth's upper atmosphere from the magnetosphere. We will present select lessons from the GEMS guide, Invisible Universe, which participants will receive for free.

We will also present two breakout sessions:

1) Activities from the educator guide, “Gamma Ray Bursts,” developed by NASA's Swift mission.

2) And activities from Educators guides developed by NASA's THEMIS mission about Earth's magnetosphere and aurora.

Finally, participants will hear a presentation about the our current understandings of GRBs and the importance of using multiple NASA observatories (such as Swift, Mars Odyssey, and RHESSI) to develop a greater understanding of them.

A free lunch will be provided.

Grades: K-4, 8-12

June 20-21, 2007

Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani

Come learn about space science and seasons, take part in a treasure hunt at the Alien Earths exhibit, and take part in the solstice events at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. This two-day workshop and outreach event will cover Magnetism (NASA UCB Exploring Magnetism), Real Reasons for the Seasons GEMS guides, and will have a break-out session for K-4 (Eye on the Sky) and 8-12 (GEMS Living with a Star). You will receive teacher guides for the activities you take part in.

Grades: K-12

May 5, 2007
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Energy & Technology Center
6301 S Street
Sacramento, CA

Presenters:Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani, Bryan Mendez, Laura Peticolas

In this teacher professional development workshop, science educators from the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley will present selections from lessons guides produced by NASA and the Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS program. Participants will take part in activities from the following activity guides: "Exploring Magnetism," "Real Reasons for the Seasons," "Living with a Star," and "Eye on the Sky." There will be a breakout session for elementary teachers to learn about "Eye on the Sky" materials and for middle and high school teachers to learn about the GEMS guide "Living with a Star." Teachers will receive free Exploring Magnetism and GEMS guides for the sessions they attend. Other free NASA materials will also be provided to participants.

To register for this workshop contact:
Katie Hobson
Education Specialist
SMUD Energy & Technology Center
6301 S Street MS A226
Sacramento, California 95817
(916) 732-5752
khobson@smud.org

Special Workshop on Sun-Earth Day 2007: Living in the Atmosphere of the Sun

Grades: K-4, 5-8,
9-12

Mar. 10, 2007

10:00 AM - 12:00 noon

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters:Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani

We live in the atmosphere of a dynamic, magnetic star that interacts with the Earth and the planets beyond. Prepare for an international celebration of our Sun's domain! This year's Sun-Earth Day theme, Living in the Atmosphere of the Sun, shares the beauty, relevance and significance of our Sun's relationship to Earth and the solar system.

Come join us in exploration, discovery and new understandings as we present activities for Sun-Earth Day 2007. This annual program is a focus of the education & public outreach efforts of NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF), which is jointly based out of UC Berkeley and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. In this workshop we'll be providing some timely and useful NASA education materials (print and electronic), do some hands-on activities, and present and discuss some of the science of the Sun-Earth system. You'll come away with classroom-ready lessons, enhanced science understandings, and excitement about the 2007 Sun-Earth Day program and its educational resources.

Note that Sun-Earth Day is actually not just a 1-day event or program – in fact every day is Sun-Earth Day and we will be showcasing materials and activities you can use with students year-round! You are strongly encouraged to preview the website and to register as an educator for Sun-Earth Day 2007: Living in the Atmosphere of the Sun, by going to http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/ and http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/registration/login.php, respectively.

Workshop registration, parking, and refreshments will be provided for free. Please register below.

Agenda (132 KB) | Register (Registration deadline: March 7)

Nature's Biggest Blasts

Grades 7-12

March 17, 2007

10 AM – 4PM

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley. CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez , Sarah Silva

Learn about nature's biggest blasts, cosmic gamma ray bursts (GRBs). GRBs are thought to be the results of either a hypernovae explosion (the hyper-violent death of the most massive stars) or the merger of extremely compact objects such as two neutron stars. Both events release enormous bursts of gamma rays and the end state is a new black hole.

We will present select lessons from the GEMS guide, Invisible Universe, which participants will receive for free. We will also present activities from the educator guide, “Gamma Ray Bursts,” developed by NASA's Swift mission. Finally, participants will hear a presentation about the our current understandings of GRBs and the importance of using multiple NASA observatories (such as Swift, Mars Odyssey, and RHESSI) to develop a greater understanding of them.

This workshop is a follow-up to the Beyond the Event Horizon workshop held at the Chabot Space & Science Center this past October, but is open to all, not only those who previously attended the black holes workshop. A free lunch will be provided.

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED. CHECK BACK HERE SOON FOR ANOTHER DATE.

Agenda (80 KB) | Register

NASA: Exploring the Infrared Universe

Grades: 5-8, 9-12, college

March 29, 2007

9:30–10:30 AM

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference

Presenters: Nahide Craig, Bryan Mendez

Learn about the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and what astronomers learn by studying objects in the Universe using this invisible light.

To find out more about the NSTA conference and how to attend this workshop visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2007STL

NASA: Exploring Magnetism in Space

Grades: College

March 29, 2007

12:30–1:30 PM

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Laura Peticolas

Join us in exploring fun hands-on activities and strategies to teach the basic concepts of magnetism and its importance in the Sun-Earth Connection.

To find out more about the NSTA conference and how to attend this workshop visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2007STL

NASA: Teaching and Learning the Real Reasons for Seasons

Grades: 5-9

March 29, 2007

2:00–3:00 PM

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference

Presenters: Greg Schultz, Bryan Mendez

Learn about common student/adult misconceptions around the causes of seasons, and discover teaching strategies and receive resources to enhance student understanding in this fundamental subject.

To find out more about the NSTA conference and how to attend this workshop visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2007STL

NASA: Bringing the Cosmos Home with Stardust@Home

Grades: All

March 30, 2007

9:30–10:30 AM

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

Learn about the first-ever interstellar dust returned to Earth by NASA's Stardust mission. Discover classroom lessons about stardust and the origins of the Solar System.

To find out more about the NSTA conference and how to attend this workshop visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2007STL

NASA: STEREO (IMPACT) Mission Presents the Physics of the Sun

Grades: 6-12

March 30, 2007

11:00 AM–12:00 PM

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Nahide Craig

Learn an engaging way of teaching the electromagnetic spectrum in one class period, including scientists' discoveries about the Sun from
studying it in different wavelengths.

To find out more about the NSTA conference and how to attend this workshop visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2007STL

Grades: K-4, 5-8,
9-12

Feb. 3, 2007
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani, Darlene Yan, Igor Ruderman

Learn real NASA space science to bring into your classrooms. We will present selections from lessons guides produced by NASA and the Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS program. Participants will take part in activities from the following activity guides: Real Reasons for the Seasons, Living with a Star, and Eye on the Sky. There will be a breakout session for elementary teachers to learn about Eye on the Sky materials and for middle and high school teachers to learn about the GEMS guide Living with a Star. Teachers will receive free GEMS guides for the sessions they attend. We will also present information and classroom activities from two NASA projects: the THEMIS and STEREO missions that are studying the Sun-Earth connection. Other free NASA materials will also be provided to participants. Weather permitting, there will also be viewing of the Sun with a special telescope and sunspotters. Lunch will be provided for free.

Register (Registration deadline Jan. 31) Agenda

THEMIS Workshops: "THEMIS and the Mysteries of the Auroras"

Grades 6-12

Feb. 13, 2007
9:30 - 2:30

(LUNCH PROVIDED)

Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Boulevard
Cape Canaveral, FL 39320

Presenters: Nahide Craig, Laura Peticolas

This workshop is intended for teachers of 9-12th grades, and will provide hands-on experience with five inquiry, NASA-developed units which are aligned with the Florida State Science Standards. The emphasis of the workshop will be on magnetism, with strong earth science, astronomy, and mathematics components. Workshop participants will experience the guide activities as their students would, with additional information about the THEMIS science, recommendations for materials, and tips for teaching activity-based curriculum.

This workshop is completely full and we regret that we cannot accomodate any more teachers. Please visit the THEMIS Education and Public Outreach website for more information about the THEMIS launch and our teacher lessons and materials.

KSC tour dresscode (22 KB) | THEMIS Brochure (59 KB)

Exploring Magnetism Workshop

Grades 8-12

Jan. 6, 2007
1 - 5 PM

607, Washington State Convention and Trade Center
Seattle, WA

Presenters: Nahide Craig, Bryan Mendez

Visit the AAPT/AAS conference website to learn how to participate.

Grades: K-4

Jan. 20, 2007
10:00 AM - 12:00 noon

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani, Greg Schultz

Join us at the Space Science Lab for a 2-hour workshop on Saturday, January 20th, from 10 am until noon. Explore the exciting Sun-Earth-Moon system through hands-on activities created for the K-4 classroom and discover some strategies for integrating literacy and science in the early grades.

We will showcase activities and resources that introduce topics such as shadows, the day/night cycle, motions of the Sun and earth, and the nature of the dynamic Sun to young students. Classroom activities are aligned to National and California Science Standards. You'll have a chance to learn more about the Sun and participate in age-appropriate activities that you can easily incorporate into your curriculum. Activities include classroom models for your students to create to explore the comparative sizes of the Sun, Earth and Moon, making a tabletop eclipse, and outdoor exploration of the Sun's UV with ultraviolet beads.

Language arts, math and art connections are woven throughout the activities to enhance the learning of science concepts. We will have lots of student work for you to take a look at, and a variety of NASA elementary teaching resources will be available for you to take home!

Agenda (154 KB) Register (CANCELLED - but if you're interested, take a look at our Feb. 3 workshop)

Grades: 8-12

Jan. 27, 2007
10:00 AM - 12:00 noon

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Nahide Craig

Come model activities around magnetism and Earth's magnetism, including the effect of the Sun on Earth's magnetism, for grades 8-12. Find out about NASA's THEMIS (Time History and Macroscale Interactions During Substorms) mission relates to this data. We will do activities with mapping magnetic fields, data from the wandering of the magnetic pole, data of magnetic storms at Earth, and we will present a short lecture on space weatheS and the THEMIS mission. These activities cover the National Science Education Standards: Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications (science as inquiry); Motions and forces (physical science); Science as a human endeavor (history and nature of science). The activities also cover the National Mathematics Education Standards: Compute fluently and make reasonable estimates (Number and Operations); Analyze change in various contexts (Algebra); Formulate questions that can be addressed with data; and Collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them and understand and apply basic concepts of probability (Data Analysis and Probability).

Register | Agenda (84 KB) | Standards (19K)
(CANCELLED - but if you're interested, take a look at our Feb. 3 workshop)

Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12

December 9, 2006
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Nahide Craig, Ruth Paglierani, Laura Peticolas, Sally Feldman

Learn real NASA space science to bring into your classrooms. We will present selections from lessons guides produced by NASA and the Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS program. Participants will take part in activities from the following activity guides: Real Reasons for the Seasons, Living with a Star, and Eye on the Sky. There will be a breakout session for elementary teachers to learn about Eye on the Sky materials and for middle and high school teachers to learn about the GEMS guide Living with a Star. Teachers will receive free GEMS guides for the sessions they attend. We will also present information and classroom activities from two NASA projects: Stardust@home and the STEREO mission. Other free NASA materials will also be provided to participants. Weather permitting, there will also be viewing of the Sun with a special telescope and sunspotters. Lunch will be provided for free.
This is part 2 of a 2-part workshop.

Participants will be asked to develop a plan for adapting an activity or the science content presented on Day 1, August 12. Day 2 of the workshop will be December 9, and participants will share then their experiences with lesson adaptation and implementation in their classrooms. We will also present additional activities on Day 2 of the workshop.

Register | Agenda (62 KB)

Grades: 5-12

October 27, 2006
8 - 9:45 AM

SACNAS Conference,
Tampa Convention Center

Tampa, Florida

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

Experience engaging, hands-on classroom activities, which explore the electromagnetic spectrum and how astronomers use its different parts to learn about the Universe. Participants will receive the GEMS guide Invisible Universe and one lucky attendee will receive a full kit of materials.

Visit the SACNAS Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 7-9

Day 1:
October 7, 2006
10 AM - 3PM

Chabot Space and Science Center
Oakland, CA

Day 2:
TBD Feb/Mar, 2007
10 AM - 3PM

UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Sarah Silva, Phil Plait, Bryan Mendez

Grades: 6 - 8, 9 - 12

October 20, 2006
3 - 4 PM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 405
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

Explore hands-on, standards-based activities to help your students grasp the size and scale of the Universe and to understand how astronomers measure such incredible distances.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

October 21, 2006
9:30 - 10:30 AM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 406
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Greg Schultz

Experience hands-on activities that address common misconceptions and aid in understanding the causes of seasons - and how to help students better learn this subject. Participants will receive GEMS/NASA materials.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 3-5, 6-8

October 21, 2006
11 AM - 12 PM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 406
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Laura Peticolas

Join us in exploring fun, hands-on activities and strategies to teach the basic concepts of magnetism and its importance in the Sun-Earth Connection.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 9-12

October 21, 2006
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 406
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

Come explore the nature and cause of the Solar System’s largest explosions, solar flares. Learn about activities involving physical science, reading, and math standards for your classroom.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

October 21, 2006
1:30 - 4:30 PM

CSTA Conference

Holiday Inn Golden GateWay Hotel,
Washington Room
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Greg Schultz

Experience engaging activities that enhance understanding of the dynamic Sun and Sun-Earth system. Facilitated by NASA scientists, participants will receive this GEMS guide, its companion CD-ROM, and other NASA resources.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: 9-12

October 21, 2006
2 - 3 PM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 406
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Nahide Craig

Learn about the effect of the Sun on dynamic auroras and how to teach calculations of average speed and percentages using real data associated with Earth’s magnetic field and auroras.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Grades: K-4

October 22, 2006
8:30 - 9:30 AM

CSTA Conference

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
Room 303
San Francisco, CA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani

Explore the exciting Sun-Earth system through hands-on science activities created for the elementary classroom. Discover new classroom strategies for integrating science, language arts, and mathematics.

Visit the CSTA Website to register for the conference.

Awing Auroras: THEMIS Mission

Grades: 5 - 12

September 21, 2006
6 - 8 PM

Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, MD

Presenters: Sten Odenwald

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a bright greenish-white glow of light stretching across the northern night sky. Often, the Northern lights evolve from a peaceful green glow to bands of red, purple, and white light rapidly dancing across the sky. Sten Odenwald will "shed light" on this mysterious phenomenon with explanations and activities that you can take back to your classroom. You will also learn about the upcoming NASA THEMIS Mission, which will likely confirm one of the two competing theories for explaining the formation of auroral substorms.

This workshop is part of the Maryland Science Center's Teacher's Thursday series.

*Cancelled Due to Low Enrollment*

Stardust@home II

Grades: 5 - 12

September 23, 2006
10 AM - 12 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez

The Stardust mission returned to Earth in January after a seven-year journey to collect particles from the coma of a comet and dust that originated from beyond the Solar System. Participants will learn about an exciting project that they and their students can become involved in to search for the precious dust particles caught in the Stardust collectors called Stardust@home. We will present a classroom lesson using Stardust@home and tour some of the facilities at the Lab. Please bring a laptop computer with wireless internet capabilities if possible.

This workshop has been cancelled due to low enrollment. We will attempt to reschedule later in the school year.

Grades: 3 - 8

August 8-11, 2006

Bay Mills Community College

12214 W Lakeshore Dr
Brimley, MI 49715

Presenters: Nahide Craig, Sten Odenwald

Join us in exploring hands-on activities and strategies to teach the basic concepts of magnetism and its importance in the Sun-Earth connection. In this first workshop we will focus on the basic concepts of magnetism and electromagnetism. We will present activities from the Educator's Activity Guide: Exploring Magnetism.

Learn ways to teach your students about the Northern and Southern Lights (aurora) while at the same time teaching them important physical science content standards.

Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12

August 12, 2006 and
December 9, 2006
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (both days)

Space Sciences Lab
Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Nahide Craig, Ruth Paglierani, Laura Peticolas, Sally Feldman

Learn real NASA space science to bring into your classrooms. We will present selections from lessons guides produced by NASA and the Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS program. Participants will take part in activities from the following activity guides: Real Reasons for the Seasons, Living with a Star, and Eye on the Sky. There will be a breakout session for elementary teachers to learn about Eye on the Sky materials and for middle and high school teachers to learn about the GEMS guide Living with a Star. Teachers will receive free GEMS guides for the sessions they attend. We will also present information and classroom activities from two NASA projects: Stardust@home and the STEREO mission. Other free NASA materials will also be provided to participants. Weather permitting, there will also be viewing of the Sun with a special telescope and sunspotters. Lunch will be provided for free.
This will be a 2-part workshop.

Participants will be asked to develop a plan for adapting an activity or the science content presented on Day 1, August 12. Day 2 of the workshop will be December 9, and participants will share then their experiences with lesson adaptation and implementation in their classrooms. We will also present additional activities on Day 2 of the workshop. For Day 1, if you have a laptop computer with a wireless internet card or ethernet port please bring it along to participate in the Stardust@home presentation.

Register | Agenda (62 KB)

The Real Reasons for Seasons

NASA/GEMS Space Science Workshop

Grades: 5-9

July 15, 2006
10 AM - 12 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenter: Greg Schultz

Experience hands-on activities that address common misconceptions and aid in understanding the causes of seasons - and how to help students better learn this subject. Participants will explore the NASA-supported GEMS guide, “The Real Reasons for Seasons,” and receive a copy of the guide. Through engaging activities, participants will gain (a) an enhanced understanding of the causes of seasons, (b) awareness of common student misconceptions, and (c) greater readiness to help students learn this core topic. Activities, including “Sun-Earth Survey,” “What Shape is Earth’s Orbit?,” “Temperatures Around the World,” and “Tilted Earth,” explicitly build from the prior knowledge of students, and this workshop adopts the constructivist strategy as well, with teachers actively engaged as learners. There is minimal lecturing, as this is designed as a hands-on professional development experience for teachers. “The Real Reasons for Seasons” is influenced by education research and the classic Harvard-produced video, “A Private Universe.”

**NOTE** - This same subject and educators guide will also be explored in the longer July 29 and Aug. 12 workshops we’re offering. So if you register for this July 15 workshop along with either of the other workshops upcoming, please be prepared for repetition on “The Real Reasons for Seasons.” Instead, you may want to choose which workshop most suits your interests and availability: either this seasons-focused 2-hour workshop on 7/15 or one of the longer and broader workshops that follow.

Register

July 29, 2006

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Nahide Craig, Ruth Paglierani

Making the Sun-Earth Connection

NPS and NASA Teacher Workshop

Grades: K - 8

June 29-30, 2006
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on 6/29,
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM on 6/30

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA)
Thousand Oaks, CA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani, Greg Schultz, and other special guests

Join the National Park Service (NPS) and NASA for an exciting hands-on workshop that offers teachers a variety of ways to explore the Sun-Erath system with their K-8 students. Also explore how the Sun influences the native vegetation of the Santa Monica Mountains, and learn about the Sun-Earth connections of the Chumash and Navajo.

Registration: Deadline is June 12. This workshop is hosted by the SMMNRA Education Program Office, which will require a $35 materials fee from all participants in advance of the workshop. The workshop registration form is included in the following 4-page flyer, which has much more details overall on this workshop: http://www.nps.gov/samo/pdffiles/SunEarthworkshop06.pdf.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit: One (1) credit is available through California Lutheran University for this course. There is a $60 fee for those who wish to receive the CPE credit.

For more information, please contact Lisa Okazaki at 805-370-2348 or lisa_okazaki@nps.gov. A general flyer on SMMNRA workshops is available at: http://www.nps.gov/samo/pdffiles/2006GeneralWorkshopFlyer.pdf.

Our Star, the Sun—Astronomy in the K-4 Classroom

Grades: K-4

May 6, 2006
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani, Greg Schultz

Join us at the Space Science Lab for a 2-hour workshop on Saturday, May 6th from 10 am until noon. Explore the exciting Sun-Earth-Moon system through hands-on activities created for the K-4 classroom and discover some strategies for integrating literacy and science in the early grades.

We will showcase activities and resources that introduce topics such as shadows, the day/night cycle, motions of the Sun and earth, and the nature of the dynamic Sun to young students. Classroom activities are aligned to National and California Science Standards. You'll have a chance to learn more about the Sun and participate in age-appropriate activities that you can easily incorporate into your curriculum. Activities include classroom models for your students to create to explore the comparative sizes of the Sun, Earth and Moon, making a tabletop eclipse, and outdoor exploration of the Sun's UV with ultraviolet beads.

Language arts, math and art connections are woven throughout the activities to enhance the learning of science concepts. We will have lots of student work for you to take a look at, and a variety of NASA elementary teaching resources will be available for you to take home!

Register | Agenda (154 KB)

NASA/GEMS Space Science Workshop

Grades: K-12

May 13, 2006
9:00 am –
3:00 pm

SMUD guest workshop
Sacramento, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Laura Peticolas, Ruth Paglierani, Greg Schultz, Nahide Craig

To register for this workshop contact:
Katie Hobson
Education Specialist
SMUD Energy & Technology Center
6301 S Street MS A226
Sacramento, California 95817
(916) 732-5752
khobson@smud.org

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

NSTA Conference
Orangewood 1, Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort

Anaheim, CA

Presenters: Mary Dussalt, Erika Reinfeld, Simon Steel, Bryan Mendez, Sarah Silva, Shannon Range, and Lindsay Bartolone

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

NSTA Conference, Anaheim Convention Center, Room 304A

Anaheim, CA

Presenters: Laura Peticolas, Bryan Mendez

Grades: K-5

NSTA Conference, Anaheim Convention Center, Room 303A

Anaheim, CA

Presenters: Ruth Paglierani, Shannon McConnell

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

NSTA Conference, Hilton Anaheim, Oceanside

Anaheim, CA

Presenter: Bryan Mendez

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

NSTA Conference
Orangewood 2,
Clarion Hotel

Anaheim, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Laura Peticolas

Grades: K-5

International Reading Association Meeting

Chicago, IL

Presenters: Ruth Pagleriani

...

Learning “The Real Reasons for Seasons” with GEMS and NASA

Grades 6-12

March 4, 2006
1:45 – 3:00 pm

CMSESMC Spring Conference
Redwood City, CA

Presenters: Greg Schultz and Kathleen O’Sullivan

Experience engaging hands-on activities that address common misconceptions and aid in understanding and explaining the causes of seasons. Participants will receive GEMS/NASA materials.

Register: This workshop is part of the CMSESMC (Council of Math/Science Educators of San Mateo County) 30th Annual Spring Math and Science Conference, held at Cañada College.

Conference details, including registration info, are available at http://www.smcoe.k12.ca.us/NewsEvents/CMSESMCreg.pdf . Contact Christine Joy at (650) 802-5357 or cjoy@smcoe.k12.ca.us.

Grades: K-4, 5-8

March 11, 2006
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani

Come join us in exploration, discovery and new understandings as we prepare for the total solar eclipse on March 29, 2006! This special astronomical event is the focus of the 2006 Sun-Earth Day education & public outreach program presented by the NASA Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum. So in this workshop we’ll be providing some timely and useful NASA education materials (print and electronic), do some hands-on activities aimed at elementary and middle school, and present and discuss some of the science of eclipses and the Sun-Earth-Moon system. You’ll come away with classroom-ready lessons, enhanced science understandings, and excitement about the upcoming total solar eclipse and webcast (done in partnership with the Exploratorium).

We especially invite elementary teachers to come, since the primary set of lessons we’ll explore will be coming from the Eye on the Sky program (http://www.eyeonthesky.org), but we’ll also discuss how such lessons can be utilized in middle school. Parking and refreshments will be provided for free.

Register | Flyer (107 KB) | Agenda (105 KB)

** We're very sorry, but this workshop is now FULL. **

We welcome you to sign up for one of our other upcoming workshops, listed below.
If you're interested in the upcoming total solar eclipse on March 29, 2006, we recommend any of the following:
* Peruse our NASA Sun-Earth Day 2006 "Eclipse: In a Different Light" website for educators at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/educators/index.php.
* Register as an educator for Sun-Earth Day 2006 "Eclipse: In a Different Light" at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/registration/login.php, to receive a free Sun-Earth Day educational kit containing NASA materials rich in science content.
* Watch our solar eclipse webcast, via http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/events/webcasts.php.
* Attend the eclipse webcast event at either the Exploratorium in San Francisco (details at http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2006/index.html) or the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland (details at http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/calendar/).

February 4, 2006
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

CSE@SSL

Berkeley, CA

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Laura Peticolas, Ruth Paglierani

207th Meeting of the AAS