SEPUP NEWS
SEPUP News
Click here for the Winter 2011 SEPUP NewsletterNew Science & Global Issues: Biology Curriculum Now Available
It's here! SEPUP’s latest issue-oriented, inquiry-based, high school biology course, Science & Global Issues: Biology, is available for purchase from our publisher, LAB-AIDS, Inc. SGI: Biology includes an introductory Sustainability unit and four Biology units—“Ecology: Living on Earth,” “Cell Biology: World Health,” “Genetics: Feeding the World,” and “Evolution: Maintaining Diversity.” Each of the units focuses on a global sustainability issue. Ecology looks at ecosystems and change, cell biology examines world health, genetics delves into genetically modified crops, and evolution explores biodiversity and conservation.
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 early 2012. Click here for more info.
SEPUP Spring 2011 Conference Schedule
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” (registration required)
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
SEPUP at NARST 2010 National Conference
“Addressing Misconceptions in Evolution at the High School Level”
Kristin Nagy Catz, PhD, Lawrence Hall of Science Research Specialist
Laura Lenz, SEPUP Instructional Materials Developer
Ellen Middaugh, PhD, Lawrence Hall of Science Research Specialist
New Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Module Available
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 workshop materials available for download
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 - 3:30PMPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell Reaction“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 - 12:15PMPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell Reaction“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 - 10:45AMPresentation Slides
Cell Cycle Game Board
Cell Cycle Game Keys“Alternative Energy for Transportation: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
November 4, 2010; 1:00 - 1:45PMPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell ReactionNational 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 DirectorPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell ReactionSEPUP 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 DirectorPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell Reaction“Teaching Chemistry with Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”
Barbara Nagle, SEPUP DirectorPresentation Slides
Activity 4: Modeling the Fuel Cell Reaction“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
News: 2006 and earlier
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.