Join The DNA Day Celebration
On April 25th, National DNA Day will commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 (10 years ago) and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953 (60 years ago). Don’t let these important anniversaries go unnoticed! Partners like the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), American Society for Human Genetics (ASHG), Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Learn.Genetics and many more have created free resources and organized events to help students, teachers, and the public learn about genetics. NHGRI will partner with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History to celebrate National DNA Day on April 19, 2013. This unique day will allow students and teachers to learn more about genetics and genomics. The DNA Day celebration will include a morning of engaging scientific presentations and panel discussions with some of the nation’s leading historians, scientists, geneticists and physicians that will emphasize the wide breadth of careers within genomics and genetics. Participating groups will also have the opportunity to visit various exhibits at the museum and partake in activities that will be a part of the Smithsonian NHGRI Genome Exhibition that will open in June 2013.
Share Your Earth Day & DNA Day Resources On The NABT ecosystem
Are you looking for some Earth Day or DNA Day teaching resources? Are you looking to share some Earth Day or DNA Day resources with other teachers? The NABT ecosystem Resources Section is building a list of teacher recommended websites, videos, articles, and tools. Like all ecosystems, this network supports a diverse population of producers and consumers. The more resources that are posted, the faster the ecosystem will become one of your go-to sites for classrooms materials, professional development opportunities, and colleague-to-colleague interactions. The NABT ecosystem is free to join and open to all biology teachers. Start connecting today at http://www.nabt.org/ecosystem.
After Earth: Free Resources & Scholarship Opportunity From Dr. Joe Levine
Global change is arguably the most important single scientific issue facing our species in the 21st century – and is also arguably the most difficult subject for biology teachers to address. It’s almost impossible to explain to students why changes in global systems are important if they don’t understand how those systems work. And those systems are fiendishly complicated. Harness the energy of After Earth, the upcoming science-fiction film starring Will and Jaden Smith, to engage students in the science of global change, mass extinction, and biodiversity. Dr. Joe Levine (of Miller/Levine: Biology), has curated a new website, scouring the web, picking and choosing from a vast array of scientific information and images to create manageable and engaging lessons on the basics of global change. Found at http://www.lifeafterearthscience.com, the site offers free downloadable lesson plans on interdisciplinary topics including guided web research and writing activities. Striking images and mesmerizing animations based on satellite data bring core concepts to life on Earth Day … and throughout the school year. Teachers can also apply for After Earth Scholarships to attend Dr. Levine’s Inquiry in Rainforests Course at the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica July 9-24, 2013. Scholarships for the course will cover tuition and estimated airfare for participants except for transportation to and from airports. The course scholarship page can be found at OTS Scholarships. The application deadline is May 3, 2013 and awards will be announced in mid-May.
Trip Of Interest: Evolution in Oklahoma & Texas
“The Oklahoma Evolution Road Trip”, sponsored by Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education and the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences, will take you on an exploration of Oklahoma and Texas, where strong support for creationism is contrasted with stunning evidence of evolution. Join Dr. Stanley Rice, Professor of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Gordon Eggleton, Professor Emeritus of Physical Sciences, both at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2 on trips to fossils and dinosaur footprints in Oklahoma and north Texas, informational visits to two creationist museums, and discussion about evolution and education. Registrations are now being accepted and the cost is $350 ($400 for a private room). All participants will be housed at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on the shores of beautiful Lake Texoma, and registration includes accommodations, transportation, and most meals. With sufficient enrollment and donations, partial refunds may be available, especially for pre-college teachers, who will receive a certificate of professional development. More information is available at http://www.ou.edu/uobs/evolution.html. Please register by May 1, 2013. If you are interested in making a contribution to help offset the costs for pre-college teachers, please contact Stanley Rice at srice@se.edu. Contributions are tax-deductible.