AAPG 2012 Teachers Program, April 23, 2012, Long Beach

Check out this opportunity to sharpen your teaching skills at the AAPG Convention in Long Beach, April 23, 2012:

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists invites K-12 science teachers to join us in exploring new methods and technologies to teach the Earth Science Curriculum. The program will include:

• Presentations of the latest technologies for teaching students the basic concepts of geology and introducing students to field work using resources available on the internet

• Presenters will include: Dr. Tanya Atwater (University of California Santa Barbara; Sharon Milito (AAPG 2011 Teacher of the Year); Wendy Van Norden (Harvard-Westlake High School) and Dr. Robert Negrini (California State University)

• Classroom materials to assist you in applying these techniques

• Luncheon with guest speaker: Dr. Robert Anderson (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mars Lander Program, Pasadena, CA)

For more information, check here (PDF)

Two New Career Opportunities in Teaching Geology

It's actually been awhile since I've seen any full-time teaching opportunities in the geology or earth science listings of the CCC Registry. This week there are actually two of them, for Bakersfield College and Santa Monica College. There are now a total of four positions open in the California Community College System (Info on openings at Mt. San Antonio College and Santa Barbara City College was posted earlier). Some of the application deadlines are approaching quickly.

If your institution has teaching positions at any level from elementary schools to universities, pass on the information and I will post it here.

Scholarships and Outstanding Earth Science Teachers: Upcoming Deadlines

A note from the national office of NAGT:

NAGT Scholarships for Field Study

NAGT offers $500 scholarships for students to attend field-based courses at any time of the year. In addition, the Association of Women Geologists sponsors two additional scholarships specifically for women in this program. Please pass this information along to students who may be interested in doing field courses. More information and the application instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html
Application Deadline: February 14
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Outstanding Earth Science Teachers (OEST) Program

OEST awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award. More information and the nomination instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/oest.html
Application Deadlines vary by Section but begin as early as March 1
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Geoscience Teachers in the Park

The Geoscience Teachers in Parks (GTIP) program is a collaborative effort between NAGT and the National Park Service to provide professional development for K12 teachers of geoscience. Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers of geoscience, as well as recent graduates who are prospective geoscience teachers are eligible to take part in this program. The internship involves work at the Mammoth Cave National Park to learn from and collaborate with park personnel, local university staff, contracted researchers, and park partners. More information and the application instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/GTIP.html
Application Deadline: March 15

Earth Science (Oceanography and Geology) Opening at Mt. San Antonio College

Past-president Mark Boryta has notified us of a full-time position at Mt. San Antonio College in Earth Science (Oceanography and Geology). The application period ends on March 1, 2012. Full information can be found here, and is reproduced below the fold.

If you have any openings at your institution, please notify us and we will post it on the Far Western Section blog.

Cal Paleo on April 14 at UC Riverside

From Cal Paleo...

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to announce that this year’s Cal Paleo will be held at UC Riverside on Saturday, April 14^th, 2012. We encourage you to attend and take part in this California paleontological tradition!

The focus of the conference will be on student research: graduate students are invited to give oral or poster presentations and undergraduate students are encouraged to participate through poster presentations (though, subject to availability and advisor request, undergraduates may also give talks). The time allotted for each oral presentation will be 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of speakers.

The deadline for abstract submission is March 1^st, 2012. Registration will close on March 21^st, 2012. There is no registration fee. Additionally, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on the day of the conference. We will shortly supply further details concerning registration, abstract publication, accommodation and possible Sunday, April 15^th activities.

An informational website will be up shortly. An abstract template has been attached to this email and a formal registration form will be sent out soon as well. In the meantime, in order to help us gauge numbers and plan accordingly, please reply as to your interest in attending Cal Paleo: “definitely,” “maybe” or “no.” Also let us know if you wish to be removed from the Cal Paleo mailing list to avoid receiving further emails.

Please direct all email correspondence to calpaleo1@gmail.com.

We hope very much to see you all on April 14^th!

Ryan McKenzie (neil.mckenzie at email.ucr.edu)
Lidya Tarhan (lidya.tarhan at email.ucr.edu)

Paleobiology Program

Department of Earth Sciences

University of California, Riverside

Exploring the Mojave Desert with the Far Western Section: Spring Meeting, March 2-4

The spring meeting of the Far Western Section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers will take place on March 2-4, 2012 at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, California. We appreciate the work that El Camino College is doing to organize the meeting. Field trips will explore the mining history, geologic history, and volcanism of the Mojave Desert, the Quaternary landscape and distribution of biota, and the lava tubes of Pisgah Crater. More information and registration forms can be found on the Far Western Section website at http://nagt-fws.org/conferences.html.

From the conference organizers:

Zzyzx (which is pronounced zy-zicks with emphasis on the "zy") has a colorful history of its own and once was a resort which featured mineral springs and mud baths, and was renowned as a health resort. Some of these facilities are partially preserved and make for wonderful photographic opportunities with the background of Soda Dry Lake. Today, the California State University system has established a consortium which administers the Desert Studies Center, facilitates research in a variety of disciplines, and aids the preservation of the endangered Mohave tui chub.

Baker, California is located 11 miles to the north east from the Desert Studies Center and has a variety of motels, restaurants, gas stations, and other facilities, some of which are quite unique. “Home of the World's Tallest Thermometer” is Baker's claim to fame and the height of the thermometer at 134 feet or 41 meters was selected when the community recorded the highest temperature ever recorded in the United States (in Death Valley) at 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913. However, it is also a gateway to Death Valley and other scenic areas of the the Mohave Desert. Many travelers come to know Baker as they fill their gas tanks during their excursions to and from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Baker is approximately 177 miles or 285 kilometers north east of Los Angeles. Las Vegas, Nevada is located about 88 miles or 142 kilometers to the north east of Baker.

The Desert Studies Center has a meeting room, an area for social gatherings and poster sessions, audio visual capabilities with wireless internet, dormitory facilities (advanced registration required and individuals bring their own bedding or sleeping bag), shower facilities, a chef who will prepare the hot breakfasts, dinners and packaged lunches, a store which features items related to Zzyzx, wonderful star gazing opportunities (clear skies permitting), and a wonderful view of Soda Dry Lake, the California Fan Palms and the Chub Pond. All of the field trips will leave from the Desert Studies Center.