Professional Enrichment Activities for Teachers

The Santa Fe Alliance for Science, and Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically, Santa Fe Institute), in partnership with the Santa Fe Public Schools, are jointly proposing the creation of a "Saturday Morning Science Professional Enrichment Series" for Santa Fe middle- and high-school teachers. It would take place during the 2009-10 academic year. The plan is to provide a series of 6 to 8 Saturday morning sessions on differing topics in science and math, making use of Santa Fe’s extensive community of STEM professionals to present the material.

Purpose: We'd like to provide teachers with information and instructional materials on science and math topics of current interest for their own enjoyment as well as for possible use in the classroom.

Sessions: Each would be 2 to 3 hours of material presentation and full discussion, accompanied by a coffee break and lunch. Topics might include: modern astronomical ideas; global warming; solar energy; geology; sustainability; healthy eating; fractal math; wave motion; complex systems; swine flu and epidemiology; nuclear power; water issues, etc. Discussions during the morning sessions, and during the coffee break and lunch, could be used to begin the construction of appropriate lesson plans, joint activities between schools, possible after-school activities, field trips, etc.

Logistical Details: Each morning session will be able to accommodate about 25 participants. Participants must register ahead of time and sign in when attending. Each participant is expected to stay for the full session, including lunch. Teachers would be paid $16/hour for attending and would also receive "professional development credits" toward promotion and career advancement. In order to be paid participants must provide their Social Security Number and mailing address. A coffee break and lunch will be provided.

Your input is requested! Do you think this is a good idea? Might you participate? What topics would you find most interesting? Any comments you care to make will be most welcome. Please send them to info-com at sfafs.org. If you send us your email address we will keep you apprised as plans develop.

Thank you!

Bob Eisenstein, Santa Fe Alliance for Science
Irene Lee, Project GUTS