
What’s new in SEPUP’s latest high school course? Science and Global Issues: Biology includes all of the support for students and teachers found in the SEPUP middle school programs, plus some new features appropriate for high school science. Key features of the program are outlined below.
In the Student Book:
In the Teacher’s Edition:
In the Teacher Resources:
Additional Resources:
Furthermore, the revision of the physical science units is in full swing. These units examine sustainability issues from a physical science perspective. The four units look in depth at resource and energy use and at how waves affect structures and people. The full two-year Science & Global Issues course will be available in 2012. Click here for more info.
The Hydrogen Technology and Energy Curriculum (HyTEC) project has developed and field-tested a high school chemistry module titled, Investigating Alternative Energy: Hydrogen & Fuel Cells. This module is currently available and was developed by SEPUP in collaboration with the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) at Humboldt State University, and is published by LAB-AIDS, Inc. The new curriculum is based on SEPUP's issue-oriented and inquiry-based approaches to science teaching and learning. In a sequence of six high school classroom activities, students are introduced to hydrogen and fuel cells in the context of energy for transportation. This sequence of activities addresses National Science Education Standards and state science standards related to topics such as energy transformations, energy efficiency, chemical reactions, oxidation-reduction, stoichiometry, and societal perspectives on energy issues. We would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District for their support of this project. Click here for more info.

SEPUP materials will be presented at 64 workshops at 19 science education conferences this fall! Check out our schedule below for more details.
Maine Science Teachers Association Annual Fall Conference (MSTA)
October 7, 2011
Gardiner, ME
“Investigating Center of Mass”
Friday, October 7, 9:00 - 10:00AMArizona Science Teachers Association Conference (ASTA)
October 7-8, 2011
Phoenix, AZ
“Science and Global Issues: Biology”
Friday, October 7, 4:20 - 5:20PMNew Jersey Science Convention (NJSC)
October 11-12, 2011
Somerset, NJ
“Exploring Energy”
Tuesday, October 11, 11:30AM - 12:30PM“Who Infected Whom? The Full Course”
Wednesday, October 12, 8:00 - 9:00AMNational Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Conference
October 12-15, 2011
Anaheim, CA
“Using Concepts of Macroevolution and Phylogeny in High School Evolution”
Thursday, October 13, 9:30 - 10:45AMPresentation Slides
Activity #7 - Student Book
Activity #7 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #15 - Student Book
Activity #15 - Teacher's Edition“Using Current Issues to Teach Ecosystem and Population Dynamics”
Thursday, October 13, 12:30 - 1:45PMPresentation Slides
Activity #7 - Student Book
Activity #7 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #7 - Student Sheet
Activity #16 - Student Book
Activity #16 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #16 - Student Sheets
Activity #16 - Transparencies“Integrating Issues of World Health into a Life Science Classroom”
Thursday, October 13, 2:00 - 3:15PMPresentation Slides
Activity #14 - Student Book
Activity #14 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #15 - Student Book
Activity #15 - Teacher's Edition“Genetics: A Novel Method for Teaching Gene Expression”
Saturday, October 15, 11:15AM - 12:30PMPresentation Slides
Activity #17 - Student Book
Activity #17 - Teacher's Edition
Student Sheet 17.1
Student Sheet 2.3
Cellular Event CardsIowa Science Teachers Fall Conference (ISTS)
October 17-18, 2011
Ames, IA
“What is a Species? An Issues Based Approach”
Tuesday, October 18, 9:00 - 9:45AM“Middle School Genetics: Breeding Critters!”
Tuesday, October 18, 10:00 - 10:45AM“Photosynthesis and Respiration Shuffle! Teaching for True Conceptual Understanding”
Tuesday, October 18, 10:00 - 10:45AM“Issues Based Biology: Teaching About Gene Expression Through Real Issues”
Tuesday, October 18, 11:00 - 11:45AM“Who Infected Whom? Cell Biology for Middle School - It's Catchy”
Tuesday, October 18, 2:00 - 2:45PM“Unique ‘Wet Cell’ Helps Teach Middle Level Energy Transformation Better”
Tuesday, October 18, 3:00 - 3:45PMNational FFA Convention
October 19-22, 2011
Indianapolis, IN
“Red Light, Green Light - Reving Up Gene Expression”
Wednesday, October 19, 1:30 - 2:30PM
Friday, October 21, 9:00 - 10:0AM“To Pile or To Spread - Does Runoff Affect Your Program?”
Wednesday, October 19, 3:00 - 4:00PM
Thursday, October 20, 3:00 - 4:00AM“Stuck in a Teaching Rut?...(Photosynthesis) Shuffle it Up!”
Thursday, October 20, 9:00 - 10:00AM
Friday, October 21, 10:30 - 11:30AM“OHH That Smell Coming From Your Well”
Thursday, October 20, 1:30 - 2:30PM
Friday, October 21, 3:00 - 4:00PMCalifornia Science Education Conference
October 21-23, 2011
Pasadena, CA
“Investigating Alternative Energy: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
Friday, October 21, 8:00 - 9:00AMPresentation Slides
Activity #1 - Student Book
Activity #1 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #4 - Student Book
Activity #4 - Teacher's Edition“Genetically Modified Organisms and the Regulation of Gene Expression”
Saturday, October 22, 8:00 - 9:00AMPresentation Slides
Activity #17 - Student Book
Activity #17 - Teacher's Edition
Student Sheet 17.1
Student Sheet 2.3
Cellular Event CardsIllinois Science Teachers Association Conference (ISTA)
October 27-29, 2011
Tinley Park, IL
“Unique ‘Wet Cell’ Helps Teach Middle Level Energy Transformation Better”
Saturday, October 29, 8:00 - 8:50AM“Issues Based Biology: Teaching about Gene Expression Through Real Issues”
Saturday, October 29, 11:00 - 11:50AMNSTA Area Conference
October 27-29, 2011
Hartford, CT
“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
Friday, October 28, 8:00 - 9:15AM“Teaching About Gene Expression”
Friday, October 28, 10:00 - 11:15AMPresentation Slides
Activity #17 - Student Book
Activity #17 - Teacher's Edition
Student Sheet 17.1
Student Sheet 2.3
Cellular Event Cards“Teaching About Batteries”
Friday, October 28, 2:00 - 3:15PM“Teaching About Gas Exchange”
Friday, October 28, 4:00 - 5:15PM“Teaching About Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
Saturday, October 29, 8:00 - 9:15AMPresentation Slides
Activity #1 - Student Book
Activity #1 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #4 - Student Book
Activity #4 - Teacher's EditionSouth Carolina Science Council Conference (SC2)
November 2-4, 2011
Myrtle Beach, SC
“U.F.O. - Unknown Flying Objects”
Thursday, November 3, 9:00 - 9:45AM“Evolution: Evidence and Explanations for the Unity and Diversity of Life”
Thursday, November 3, 10:00 - 10:45AMWest Virginia Science Teachers Association Conference (WVSTA)
November 3-5, 2011
Flatwoods, WV
“Periodic Table - Classifying Elements”
Thursday, November 3“Erosion and Deposition - Investigating a Cliff Model”
Thursday, November 3“‘Ecology’ - The Miracle Fish”
Thursday, November 3“Stem Cell Differentiation”
Thursday, November 3“Photosynthesis and Respiration Shuffle”
Thursday, November 3Gold Coast Science Network (GCSN)
November 5, 2011
Oxnard, CA
“Fast and Furious! (Measuring Speed)”
“Investigating Chemical Batteries”
STANYS Annual Conference
November 5-8, 2011
Rochester, NY
“‘Who Infected Whom’ An Epidemiology Lesson for Intermediate Life Science”
Monday, November 7, 11:00 - 12:00PM“Cell Differentiation and Gene Expression”
Monday, November 7, 1:45 - 2:45PM“The Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Shuffle”
Tuesday, November 8, 9:30 - 10:30AMNorth Carolina Science Teachers Association Conference (NCSTA)
November 10-11, 2011
Greensboro, NC
“Evolution: Evidence and Explanations for the Unity and Diversity of Life”
Thursday, November 10“Looking for Signs of Micro-Life”
Thursday, November 10“Fast and Furious - Force and Motion for Middle School”
Thursday, November 10“U.F.O. - Unknown Flying Objects...”
Friday, November 11NSTA Area Conference
November 10-12, 2011
New Orleans, LA
“Teaching About Batteries”
Friday, November 11, 8:00 - 9:15AM“Teaching About Gene Expression”
Friday, November 11, 10:00 - 11:15AM“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
Friday, November 11, 4:00 - 5:15PM“Teaching About Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
Saturday, November 12, 8:00 - 9:15AMMassachusetts Association of Science Teachers Conference (MAST)
November 17-18, 2011
Boxborough, MA
“Force and Motion”
Thursday, November 17, 11:15AM - 12:15PMConference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST)
November 17-19, 2011
Dallas, TX
“The Cell Cycle in Normal and Cancerous Cells”
Thursday, November 17, 4:30 - 5:30PM“Interdependence and Interactions in Dynamic Ecosystems”
Friday, November 18, 11:30AM - 12:30PM“SEPUP Force and Motion”
Saturday, November 19, 8:30 - 9:30AM“Classification Across Science”
Saturday, November 19, 10:00 - 11:00AM“A Novel Method for Teaching Gene Expression”
Saturday, November 19, 1:00 - 2:00PM“Evidence and Explanations for the Unity and Diversity of Life”
Saturday, November 19, 2:30 - 3:30PMVirginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST)
November 17-19, 2011
Roanoke, VA
“Fast and Furious - Force and Motion for Middle School”
Thursday, November 17“Genetics: A Novel Method for Teaching Gene Expression”
Thursday, November 17NSTA Area Conference
December 8-10, 2011
Seattle, WA
“Teaching About Batteries”
Friday, December 9, 8:00 - 9:15AM“Teaching About Gene Expression”
Friday, December 9, 10:00 - 11:15AMPresentation Slides
Activity #17 - Student Book
Activity #17 - Teacher's Edition
Student Sheet 17.1
Student Sheet 2.3
Cellular Event Cards“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
Friday, December 9, 4:00 - 5:15PM“Teaching About Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
Saturday, December 10, 8:00 - 9:15AMPresentation Slides
Activity #1 - Student Book
Activity #1 - Teacher's Edition
Activity #4 - Student Book
Activity #4 - Teacher's Edition
In honor of their tenth anniversary, the SEPUP group in Japan invited us to visit and work with a group of their teachers and students. Barbara Nagle and Maia Willcox were delighted to travel across the Pacific and participate in the lively exchange of ideas organized by our colleagues in Japan. Barbara presented a talk to the teachers on SEPUP’s history, approach, and recent projects. Maia worked with the teachers using some of SEPUP’s new strategies, including the “walking debate,” in which participants move around the room based on their evidence-based position on an issue. The next day Maia taught a group of middle school students two activities from a SEPUP module while the teachers observed. At the end of the lesson Maia and the teachers helped the students participate in a walking debate. Several of the SEPUP Japan teachers demonstrated lessons with both students and teachers. The event concluded with a discussion of the value of and approaches to issue-oriented science in Japan and the United States.
At the closing ceremony, the SEPUP Japan teachers spoke about how SEPUP has helped them to become better teachers by increasing their understanding and use of hands-on, inquiry-based, issue-oriented science. We are grateful to our hosts in Japan for the exchange of ideas and strategies and the great science teaching we observed during our visit.
Arigato, SEPUP Japan!
NSTA National Conference
March 9-13, 2011
San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, March 09
NSTA Professional Development Institute (PDI-4): Science in Context: "Helping Students Develop 21st Century Skills Through Issue-oriented Science”
Marriott San Francisco Marquis Hotel, Room Yerba Buena 4NSELA Professional Development Institute: “Using Moderation as a Professional Development Strategy to Improve Grading Practices and Enhance Communication of Student Achievement”
8:00 - 11:00AM (AM Session #4); Hilton Union Square, Room Continental 8Thursday, March 10
SEPUP Pathway Session: “Developing Literacy and Addressing Content Standards Through Issue-oriented Science”
8:00 - 9:00AM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Alternative Energy and Transportation: Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Other Bus Technologies”
9:30 - 10:30AM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Life Science Issues: Integrating Biodiversity Into the Teaching of Ecology and Evolution”
12:30 - 1:30PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Green Chemistry: Using Chemistry Knowledge to Inform Societal Decisions”
2:00 - 3:00PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Integrating Sustainability-related Issues into the Science Classroom”
3:30 - 4:30PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4Friday, March 11
SEPUP Pathway Session: “Using Simulations and Modeling in an Issues-based Science Classroom”
8:00 - 9:00AM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
8:00 - 9:30AM; Moscone Center, 125SEPUP Pathway Session: “Differentiated Instruction Related to Science and Societal Issues”
9:30 - 10:30AM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4“Fast and Furious: Force and Motion for Middle School”
10:00 - 11:30AM; Moscone Center, 125SEPUP Pathway Session: “How Media Literacy Influences Thinking About Socio-scientific Issues”
11:00AM - 12:00PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4“Teaching About Gene Expression”
12:00 - 1:30PM; Moscone Center, 125SEPUP Pathway Session: “Assessing 21st-Century Skills in an Issue-oriented Science Classroom”
12:30 - 1:30PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Integrating World Health Issues into High School Cell Biology”
2:00 - 3:00PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4“What Is a Species?”
2:00 - 3:30PM; Moscone Center, 125SEPUP Pathway Session: “Getting Kids Invested with Stories: The Car of the Future and Energy Conversions”
3:30 - 4:30PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4SEPUP Pathway Session: “Teaching Core Genetics Concepts Through Issues Related to Genetically Modified Foods”
5:00 - 6:00PM; Marriott San Francisco Marquis, Yerba Buena Salon 4Saturday, March 12
“Stem Cell Differentiation”
10:00 - 11:30AM; Moscone Center, 125“Photosynthesis and Respiration Shuffle!”
12:00 - 1:30PM; Moscone Center, 125“Teaching About Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
4:00 - 5:30PM; Moscone Center, 125
California Science Education Conference
October 22-24, 2010
Sacramento, CA
“Genetically Modified Organisms and the Regulation of Gene Expression”
October 22, 2010; 1:00 - 2:00PM“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
October 22, 2010; 2:30 - 3:30PM“Teaching Properties of Materials – Get Them Sorting!”
October 23, 2010; 11:00AM - 12:00PMNSTA Area Conference
October 28-30, 2010
Kansas City, MO
“Fast and Furious: Force and Motion for Middle School!”
October 29, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AM“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
October 29, 2010; 10:00 - 11:15AM“SGI Biology: Putting the Life Back in Life Science!”
October 29, 2010; 12:00 - 1:15PMConnecticut Science Education Conference
October 30, 2010
Hamden, CT
“Teaching Genetics Through Genetically Modified Organism Related Issues”
8:30 - 9:30AM“What Vehicle Would Isaac Newton Buy?”
8:30 - 9:30AM“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
11:15AM - 12:15PM“How Do Creatures Know Where to Go? – Suitable Habitats”
11:15AM - 12:15PMSouth Carolina Science Council (SC2)
November 3-5, 2010
Myrtle Beach, SC
“The Cell Cycle in Normal and Cancerous Cells”
November 4, 2010; 10:00 - 10:45AM“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
November 4, 2010; 1:00 - 1:45PMNational Association of Biology Teachers
November 3-6, 2010
Minneapolis, MN
“Integrating Sustainability Issues into Genetics Lessons”
November 4, 2010; 1:00 - 2:15PM“Integrating Biodiversity Issues into an Evolution Classroom”
November 5, 2010; 3:45 - 5:00PM“Integrating Sustainability Issues into Ecology Lessons”
November 6, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AM“Integrating Issues of World Health into a Life Science Classroom”
November 6, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AMNSTA Area Conference
November 11-13, 2010
Baltimore, MD
“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
November 11, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AM“Teach Chemistry with Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
November 11, 2010; 2:15 - 3:30PM“SEPUP High School Biology: Science and Global Issues”
November 11, 2010; 4:00 - 5:15PM“Fast and Furious: Force and Motion for Middle School!”
November 12, 2010; 12:00 - 1:15PM“SGI Biology: Putting the Life Back in Life Science!”
November 13, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AMConference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) 2010
Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)
November 11-13, 2010
Houston, TX
“Evolution: Evidence and Explanations for the Unity and Diversity of Life”
November 11, 2010; 8:30 - 9:30AM“The Cell Cycle in Normal and Cancerous Cells”
November 11, 2010; 10:00 - 11:00AM“Ecology: Interdependence and Interactions in Dynamic Ecosystems”
November 11, 2010; 10:00 - 11:00AM“Teach Chemistry with Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
November 12, 2010; 1:30 - 2:30PM“Genetics: A Novel Method for Teaching Gene Expression”
November 12, 2010; 3:00 - 4:00PM“Chemistry of Materials – SEPUP”
November 13, 2010; 8:30 - 9:30AM“Ecology – SEPUP”
November 13, 2010; 8:30 - 9:30AM“Erosion and Deposition – SEPUP”
November 13, 2010; 3:00 - 4:00PMNorth Carolina Science Teachers Association Professional Development Institute
November 11-12, 2010
Greensboro, NC
“The Cell Cycle in Normal and Cancerous Cells”
November 11, 2010; 7:30 - 8:30AM“Middle School Genetics Made Easy, Interesting, and Fun”
November 11, 2010; 11:45AM - 12:45PM“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
November 11, 2010; 1:00 - 2:00PM“Inquiry Teaching and Learning: The Periodic Table”
November 12, 2010; 10:30 - 11:30AMNSTA Area Conference
December 2-4, 2010
Nashville, TN
“Teaching About the Rock Cycle and Earth Time”
December 3, 2010; 8:00 - 9:15AM“Fast and Furious: Force and Motion for Middle School!”
December 3, 2010; 10:00 - 11:15AM“SGI Biology: Putting the Life Back in Life Science!”
December 3, 2010; 12:00 - 1:15PMSEPUP at the National Hydrogen Association
Long Beach, CA 2010
Tuesday, May 4
“Hydrogen Technology and Energy Curriculum (HyTEC) for High School Science”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP DirectorSEPUP at NSTA
Philadelphia, PA 2010
Wednesday, March 17
Professional Development Institute—“Issue-oriented Science: Engage, Motivate, and Educate”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP Director
John Howarth, SEPUP Associate Director
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials DeveloperThursday, March 18
“Developing Literacy and Addressing Content Standards Through Issue-oriented Science”
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials Developer
Donna Markey, Teacher at Vista Magnet Middle School; Vista, CA“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP Director“Teaching Chemistry with Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP Director“Integrating Biodiversity Issues into Ecology and Evolution Units”
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials DeveloperFriday, March 19
“Integrating Sustainability into the Science Classroom”
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials Developer
John Howarth, SEPUP Associate Director“Differentiating Instruction Related to Science and Societal Issues”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP Director
Kathaleen Burke, Buffalo Science Teachers' Network; Buffalo, NY“Integrating World Health Issues into a Life Science Classroom”
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials Developer“Teaching About Trade-offs: How Science Can Inform the Decision Making Process”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP Director
John Howarth, SEPUP Associate Director“Using Issues as a Context for Teaching Science Content and Inquiry”
John Howarth, SEPUP Associate Director
Spring 2006: Focus on Literacy
Strategies for supporting literacy are highlighted in this issue, with particular emphasis on their role in formative assessment. Several examples are provided including a writing frame, an anticipation guide, and concept mapping. There is an article about the use of literacy strategies to address the needs of diverse learners. In addition, details about SEPUP's new middle school course, Issues and Earth Science, are presented along with a description of SEPUP's development of materials on hydrogen fuel cells for the Department of Energy, in conjunction with the Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Spring 2006 SEPUP News.
Spring 2005: Focus on Issue-Oriented Science
This issue provides both conceptual background and practical information about issue-oriented science—the core of SEPUP's approach to science education. In addition to a useful overview of the issue-oriented curriculum, there is an article about the role of evidence and trade-offs, the role of issues in the SEPUP instructional model which is exemplified by a sample activity, teaching tips for the issue-oriented classroom, pointers for developing media literacy among SEPUP students, and more.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Spring 2005 SEPUP News.
Fall 2004: Focus on the Classroom Learning Environment
The broad range of articles in this issue provides teachers with guidance, resources, and suggestions for using SEPUP with their students. Featured in this issue are an overview of types of learning environments, a sample activity highlighting SEPUP's 4-2-1 approach to cooperative learning, suggestions for materials management, and an examination of questioning in the classroom.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Fall 2004 SEPUP News.
Spring 2004: Focus on Inquiry
This issue, just in time for NSTA, addresses a variety of aspects of inquiry in the science classroom including a description of the SEPUP approach to inquiry, how to use current events to promote inquiry, a sample SEPUP activity, and implementation of inquiry and the National Science Education Standards.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Spring 2004 SEPUP News.
Fall 2003: Focus on Assessment
In Fall 2003, we decided to devote each issue of the SEPUP News to a specific topic related to SEPUP instructional materials and SEPUP's approach to science education in order to build a reference library for SEPUP teachers.
This first “focused” issue provides a range of articles about the SEPUP Assessment System including classroom examples, a selected bibliography, teacher experiences, background information and useful diagrams.Click here to download a pdf version of the Fall 2003 SEPUP News.