ANS to sponsor teacher workshop in Phoenix, Arizona
The American Nuclear Society's Public Education Program will be sponsoring a one-day teacher workshop on Sunday, February 27, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The workshop-Detecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World-is intended for science educators (including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, physical science, life science, environmental, and general science) at the high school and middle school levels. WM Symposia, Inc., is cosponsoring the workshop, which will be held prior to WM2011, the international waste management conference that is held in Phoenix.
The full-day workshop will prepare attendees to teach the basics about radiation, how we detect radiation, and the uses of nuclear science and technology in society. Teachers who complete the workshop will receive a wealth of materials-background information, hands-on activities, and supplementary resources-and a Geiger counter. Career opportunities in nuclear science and technology will be highlighted during the sessions.
"We're excited to be offering this overview of radiation and nuclear science to teachers in the Phoenix area," said Chuck Vincent, ANS Outreach administrator. "Workshop participants are always eager to receive their free Geiger counters and learn about hands-on demonstrations that they can use in their classrooms."
Hands-on activity at a 2010 ANS teacher workshop
The teacher workshop provides information and training to help teachers address National Science Education Standards, as developed under the aegis of the National Research Council, for grades 5-8 and 9-12. Specific content will help teachers address physical science content standards at grades 5-8 (transfer of energy) and 9-12 (structure of atoms and interactions of energy and matter). The workshop and materials will provide information useful in addressing topics in the history and nature of science, as outlined by the standards, for both grade levels. Teachers will receive information that helps them assist students in grades 9-12 as they develop scientific models, an activity that is part of the inquiry standards.
Currently, scheduled presenters include:
- Mansel Nelson, program coordinator, Environmental Education Outreach Program, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, Northern Arizona University
- Terry Price, mechanical engineer, Palo Verde Generation Station of Arizona Public Service Company
- Walter Thomas, chemistry teacher-district science coordinator, Wickenburg Unified School District
- Dr. Debra Thrall, executive director, Albert I. Pierce Foundation, Albuquerque, N.M.
There is a $60 nonrefundable registration fee for teachers to reserve a place at the workshop. The registration deadline is 12:00 noon (Central Time), Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Please visit the ANS website for more information, including an announcement and online registration form. The workshop will be limited in size to optimize interaction with presenters. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis.
This post first appeared on the ANS Nuclear Cafe.
