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New Jersey Earth Science Teachers Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Upcoming Earth & Space Science Professional Development Opportunities

RU Geology Museum Annual Open House – Saturday January 26, 2019

Since 1968, the Rutgers Geology Museum has hosted an annual Open House and Mineral sale. The mineral sale is one of the largest in New Jersey and has continued to draw hundreds of visitors every year. Events take place between 9 am and 3 pm in the Geology Museum and Scott Hall on the College Avenue Campus. Check the following links for this year’s list of speakers and activities: https://geologymuseum.rutgers.edu/museum-events/annual-open-house

NJESTA Annual Conference:

Visualizing Natural and Human Changes in Earth Systems – March 16, 2019

The NJ Earth Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Visualizing Natural and Human Changes in Earth Systems, will take place on Saturday March 16, 2019 at Palmyra Cove Nature Park in Palmyra, NJ from 9AM to 3PM.  Our Earth is ever changing naturally and through human activities. Our space-based Earth observing system along with ground-based observations provide documentation of these changes happening at local, regional, and global scales. At the conference you will learn about the latest (student friendly) technologies for monitoring and analyzing the Earth system and how to involve your students in collecting data to monitor and visualize for change in their local area. The topics addressed within the conference include those found in NGSS ESS2 and ESS3. These coupled with selected science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts make the conference a perfect event to gather resources for your NGSS classroom. The conference will take place at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, noted for its extensive open space, environmental education offerings, and Institute for Earth Observations. Join our expert line-up and your colleagues for an inspirational day connecting with Earth systems. For details and to register, go to njesta.org. Registration closes March 8, 2019. Contact Missy Holzer for additional information at mholzer@monmouth.com.

NJESTA & BTANJ Present:

Applying Science Practices to Data Collection in the Field – April 6, 2019

Most schools have access to outdoor spaces to collect data related to localized phenomena. However, the challenges in doing so include minimal teacher experience, lack of supplies, safety in the field, and connecting the content to science content in meaningful ways. This one-day workshop will provide support in all these challenges as participants identify ecology and Earth science phenomena and collect field data at Duke Farms to make sense of the phenomena. Join NJ Earth Science Teachers Association (NJESTA) and the Biology Teachers Association of NJ (BTANJ) on Saturday April 6, 2019 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ for this middle school and high school level workshop linking core ideas, science practices, and crosscutting concepts. Participants will receive materials that will assist them in replicated field studies in and/or around their school campuses. Professional Development hours will be provided. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Meals included. For details and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/njesta-and-btanj-present-applying-science-practices-to-data-collection-in-the-field-tickets-52263726212?aff=ebapi. Registration closes March 15, 2019. Contact Missy Holzer for additional information at mholzer@monmouth.com.

Earth and Environmental Science Educator's Institute: Connecting Models and Evidence June 25-27, 2019

Join us June 25-27th, 2019 at Palmyra Cove Nature Park in New Jersey. The Earth and Environmental Science Educators' Institute will provide professional development in the use of Model-Evidence Link (MEL) activities centered on current Earth science topics. These 3-dimensional (core ideas, practices, crosscutting concepts) instructional scaffolds facilitate critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, construction of scientific explanations, and collaborative argumentation to support scientific reasoning within challenging Earth science topics. For more information about the use of MEL diagrams in the classroom, explore this website. This three-day institute is free, and a $750 stipend is provided! Applications are open to middle and high school Earth and Environmental Science teachers in the NJ-PA area. Those teaching Earth science content in their courses are also encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: April 15, 2019. To apply, visit: https://serc.carleton.edu/mel/prof_dev/NJ_PD_2019.html

Missy Holzer, PhD
Science Teacher, Chatham HS
Instructor, Rutgers Dept. of Geography

Secretary, NESTA (President 2012-2014)
Executive Board, NJESTA
NASA SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador

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