Right after Thanksgiving 2012, NEED received word that Bob Thompson, one of our former teachers and staff members died suddenly. For the NEED family, this loss reminded us of the great times we had with Bob and his wife Debbie and all the fun we had as a team at teacher workshops, NEED Energy Conferences for Educators and our BP Solar Schools, BP A+ for Energy Program workshops and many others. Bob was a key part of our H2 Educate and Wind for Schools programming early on and delivered workshops for us in Illinois and all across the country for several years. When I think of Bob, I think of all the gee whiz moments that happen in science. I also think of Bob’s childlike wonder about science, and specifically about energy. We’re an organization of Energy Nerds. Big ones. We think of energy as a unifying theme in science. We think of energy as cool. Bob loved energy and loved teaching about energy. He also loved taking care of people. I can attest that I never picked up my own luggage, never had to carry my own laptop bag or open a door when Bob was around. He was a gentleman, a great teacher, and an explorer. As an ultralight pilot he would fly near wind turbines installed in Illinois. As a huge fan of aerospace, he would stand with me in the Avis parking lot at Los Angeles International Airport and stare into the heavens at the jet planes coming in to land. Then there was the time he shoved my ice cream cone in my face. That was funny. It was also cooling since we were in La Quinta, California

It was all science. All the time. Bob explored. Bob taught exploration. Bob energized workshops of teachers and classrooms of kids.

He was special. Special to all of us at NEED and to the teachers and students he worked with over time. Because of this, NEED has established the Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Award that will be given each year to a teacher who exemplifies Bob’s childlike wonder of science and energy. The award includes a $1,000 cash grant to the teacher to use as they so choose in the classroom and an all-expenses paid trip to the NEED Energy Conference for Educators hosted each July.

Apply Here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023EnergyExcellenceApp

The first week (July 2 to 8) will be open to teachers of K–8th grade science. Participants will learn how to use the Little Engineers and Real World Science curriculum guides and best practices in science education. We will discuss activities in Physical, Earth, and Life Sciences and Engineering and learn how to integrate literacy practices and social studies into science investigations with students.

The second week (July 16 to 22) will be open to teachers of 6th–12th grade science. Participants will learn how to use the STEM Corps and Real World Science curriculum guides and best practices in science education. We will discuss activities in Physics, Chemistry, Earth, and Life Sciences and Engineering and learn how to integrate literacy practices and social studies into science investigations with students.

Both programs are FREE for teachers—travel, lodging and most meals are paid for.

For more information, visit www.nationalww2museum.org/realworldscience

Get the newsletter here: 

 https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/INDNR/2023/01/04/file_attachments/2369020/Falls_of_the_Ohio_Winter_Educators_Newsletter.pdf

A rare professional development opportunity is on the horizon. On May 4-6, 2023, GVSU will host the meeting for north central section of the Geological Society of America in Grand Rapids. The meeting offers two days of technical sessions on a range of science topics, especially related to the Great Lakes and Midwest, and a day of field trips led by experts. The technical sessions also include ideas for improving teaching in geoscience. Fieldtrips include down into the gypsum mine, over to the dunes, along the outcrops at Grand Ledge, and even the impact structure at Kentland, Indiana. Registration opens in February 2023. Early registration for K-12 professionals for the full meeting is $85. Fieldtrips are an additional fee.

More details can be found at https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Events/Section_Meetings/GSA/Sections/nc/2023mtg/home.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Now accepting applications for 2023

Miami University’s Project Dragonfly is accepting applications for 2023 Earth Expeditions graduate courses that offer extraordinary experiences at global field sites in 15 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. http://EarthExpeditions.MiamiOH.edu

Earth Expeditions can build toward the Global Field Program (GFP), a master's degree that combines summer field courses worldwide with web learning communities so that students can complete the GFP master's part-time from anywhere in the United States or abroad. Applications are now being accepted until January 28. Courses begin in May 2023. http://GFP.MiamiOH.edu

Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree that combines web instruction from Miami University with face-to-face experiential learning and field study through several AIP sites in the U.S. Applications for Miami's 2023 cohorts are being now being accepted until February 28, with place-based experiences provided at zoos and botanical gardens in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis. New for 2023: residents of the Detroit, Michigan, area can study at AIP's newest site, Detroit Zoological Society, and earn Miami's AIP master's degree. http://AIP.MiamiOH.edu

Graduate tuition for all programs is greatly reduced because of support from Miami University.

Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits, and graduate programs worldwide. Project Dragonfly is based in the biology department at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Established as a state university in 1809, Miami is one of the eight original Public Ivies and has a distinguished record of excellence in research and teaching in science and science education.

Project Dragonfly, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056
GFP_Masters@MiamiOH.edu

The Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) at IUPUI will host a professional development workshop this summer. The focus of the three-day workshop will be incorporating sustainable agriculture in the classroom.  

 

Dates: July 18-20, 2022  

Location: IUPUI campus (Indianapolis, IN)  

Parking and hotel accommodations will be covered by CEES.  

Professional Development credits: 24  

 

We are negotiating to be able to provide a stipend ($150) to attendees.  

 

Daily schedule:  

morning: in-depth discussion of the classroom topic-of-the-day (and doing of associated  

module/lab activity). Topics include: soil conservation, water quality/conservation,  

sustainable agriculture  

lunch break  

afternoon: field trip – or – scientists discuss related topics and activities for incorporating these  

topics in the classroom   

late afternoon/evening: afternoon break, dinner break, late afternoon or evening fun activity  

(not necessarily in that order)  

 

For more information, contact:  

 Dr. Victoria Schmalhofer  

Assistant Director, Center for Earth and Environmental Science  

cees@iupui.edu  

 

To register, go to  https://cees.iupui.edu/education-programs/k-12/professional-development-institute.html

if you have any questions or would like more information about this event, please contact Iesha Sturgis-Jackson (issturgi@indiana.edu, 812-856-8288).”

Here is the link to the latest Falls of the Ohio newsletter.

• https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/INDNR/2022/05/11/file_attachments/2156265/Falls_of_the_Ohio_Spring_Educators_Newsletter.pdf

https://nabt.org/Events-2022-Conference