Overview

These summer science content courses are designed to provide support to K-12 teachers in implementing the new Oregon science standards. A common theme to all the courses is that they embed science content within a meaningful context - helping students see the value of learning science as part of a bigger framework that is meaningful to them.

Course Descriptions

Human Activities & Natural Systems (2008 and 2009)

(Dr. Cary Schneider, physical science & engineering design)

 In the first week we consider the topic of global warming. Learn about the “good” greenhouse effect that keeps Earth from turning into a huge snowball, the scientific consensus and controversy about global warming, and the huge implications of the outcome for our children and grandchildren. In the second week we will tackle what may be the most difficult problem facing humankind today—how to provide enough energy to power civilizations around the globe without destroying habitats for the other species with whom we share our world. Learn about some of the reasons why it’s difficult to change course, and what you can do to help build a new sustainable energy source for the future.

 Ancient History of You (2008, 2009, and 2010)

(Dr. Todd Duncan, physical science, interaction and change) 

What is the history of the material that makes up your body and the world around you? How is your current existence connected to cosmic history? In this class we’ll investigate the history of familiar objects as far back in time as we can trace them – in some cases to near the beginning of the universe. The core theme that will emerge is that our existence now is a product of the whole universe - extending billions of years into the past, and across billions of light years of space.

Using a Scanning Electron Microscope to Deliver Science Content Standards (2010)

(Dr. Sherry Cady, PSU Geology, and Keith Grosse, Lake Oswego HS)

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is a research tool widely used in universities, research agencies, and commercial laboratories.  The instruments in these laboratories are generally too expensive and difficult to maintain to be feasible in K-12 settings.  However, in recent years a number of SEM manufacturers have introduced benchtop SEM units that are robust, user friendly, and reasonably priced.   These new units are so easy to operate that an untrained operator may begin gathering data in minutes.  The danger of this simplicity, of course, is that the resulting data can be easily misinterpreted.  To encourage the correct and effective use of these tools in K-12 classrooms, we offer hands-on training with a desktop SEM.  Teachers can bring their own samples for examination as part of their course project. 

    This course has two objectives:  (a) to enable teachers to use the SEM as a pedagogical tool for delivering science content and inquiry benchmark standards and (b) review the fundamental principles of SEM operation and image formation so that teachers can properly interpret SEM images and train their students in its use.  Properly operating the SEM requires a basic understanding (at the high school level) of physical phenomena and concepts such as atomic structure, energy, momentum, and energy transfer.  The SEM is useful as a scientific tool for the exploration of structure-function relationships and enabling inquiry-driven projects in a variety of scientific disciplines. 

Meteor Impact (2008 only)

 (Dr. Ellen Lyon, earth & space science, interaction and change)

An exploration of the multidisciplinary field of cratering science, including mineralogy, impact ejecta, shock metamorphism, and the history of ‘meteoritics.’  Included will be the study of documentation of impacts in the geologic record, with special attention to the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary.   Visits to the Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals, as well as the PSU Meteorite Lab are included

General Resources 

• Notetaking:

• Cornell Notes...see .pdf

  http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html

   

  The notebook...model number #1301

  http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.ACCT126734/it.A/id.17/.f

Data Analysis Tools

Presentation Slides:

.opd (OpenOffice)

.pdf (Acrobat Reader)

.swf (Flash)

OpenOffice.org

          OpenOffice is an open source (free) office software suite. 

          This suite includes Calc, a spreadsheet program that can be

          used to collect, store, and analyze data.  OpenOffice is

          availabe for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux computers.

GoogleDocs

          Google Docs is a free online office software suite.  Accessed

          through a web browser, your data is available to you wherever

          you go: At home or in the classroom. Goolge Docs allows for easy

          online collaboration on documents and will easily allow users to

          provide read-only access to a wider audience via the web.

Scilab 

          Scilab is an open source (free) software package for scientific

          computation and engineering applications.  The software provides

          functionality for matrix operations, linear algebra, 2D and 3D graphics

          as well as animation. Scilab is available for Windows, Mac OS X,

          and Linux computers.

Dia

Dia is an open source (free) diagram drawing software package. 

It has predefined shapes for drawing Chemical Engineering,

Civil engineering, and electrical circuit drawings, among others. 

New packages of shapes can be created and distributed to students. 

Diagrams can be exported in a variety of image formats. Dia is available

for Windows and Linux, and Mac OS X (with a bit of work).