GEORGIA YOUTH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTERS, INC.

APPROVED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES

The following GYSTC courses have been approved as professional development for certification renewal credit by the Georgia Department of Education.  All courses are correlated with Georgia’s Quality Core Curriculum and Georgia Performance Standards.

Chemistry & Physical   Earth   Environmental    Crime Lab   Science & Math   Science Fair   Student Programs   Local Excursions   Coastal Excursions   International Excursions

GENERAL

GPS SCIENCE UNIT TRAINING FOR GRADES K-2 - This course is designed to improve the science content knowledge of K, 1st and 2nd grade teachers and provide them with units, strategies, and learning applications for the Georgia Performance Science Standards.  (1 OR 2 PLUs)

GPS SCIENCE UNIT TRAINING FOR GRADES 3-5 - This course is designed to improve the science content knowledge of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers and provide them with units, strategies, and learning applications for the Georgia Performance Science Standards. (1 OR 2 PLUs)

RESOURCES FOR K-12 TEACHERS – A GYSTC center is filled with resources for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms.  This workshop will train teachers to use various GYSTC equipment, kits and materials in their classroom.  (1 PLU)

SCIENCE THROUGH THE SEASONS  - (PRE K-2) – Seasonal activities that show how to integrate science into already existing units taught in the early childhood classroom.   (1 OR 2 PLUs)

FAMILY SCIENCE & MATH NIGHT TRAINING - (K-8) - Participants will acquire knowledge necessary to design a Family Science & Math Night program for their schools which will include teachers, parents, and students.  They will identify science concepts at each grade level which need the most reinforcement and experiment will dozens of hands-on activities which will address those concepts.  Activities will be selected and materials prepared to implement a Family Science Night event at their school.  (2 PLUs)

USING THE ATLAS OF SCIENCE LITERACY - (K-12) - The Atlas of Science Literacy is an exciting resource that presents strand maps on nearly 100 topics developed by AAAS Project 2061. Strand maps present conceptual connections among the ideas and skills that serve as goals for student learning. They graphically display how students might develop in their understanding of topics such as gravity, natural selection, and statistical reasoning from kindergarten through grade 12.
Participants will use Atlas and other Project 2061 resources to enhance their understanding of science literacy and to improve curricula, instruction, and assessment. The workshop is organized around the following goals: Understanding Strand Maps, Clarifying National, State, and Local Standards, Changing Classroom Practice, and Improving Curriculum.
 

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE STANDARDS AND CLASSROOM PRACTICE - (K-12) - Becoming an accomplished science teacher requires not only a thorough understanding of science content, but also a familiarity with science standards and research on student learning. This course will train teachers on the strategy, Science Curriculum Topic Study, that links science standards and research to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This strategy will help teachers to improve their understanding of science content, clarify a hierarchy of content and skills in a learning goal from state or local standards, define formative and summative assessment goals and strategies, learn to recognize and address learning difficulties, increase opportunities for students of all backgrounds to achieve science literacy, and design or utilize instructional materials effectively.  (1 PLU)
 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE FOR 8TH GRADE TEACHERS - This course is designed to assist 8th grade science teachers in the implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards.  The course will provide content knowledge, hands-on learning activities, strategies, and assessment activities for creating units of instruction. (1-5 PLUs) 

TEACHING PHYSICAL SCIENCE THROUGH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE - (K-8) – Complete lessons for teaching hands-on discovery-oriented physical science using fiction and non-fiction books as an integral part of the instruction.  Lessons contain clearly defined science content objectives and process skills.   (1 or 2 PLUs)

TOYS IN SPACE - (4-8) – This course is designed to help teachers understand how physical science concepts on earth behave in space.  NASA astronauts use toys to demonstrate the effect of weightlessness.  Teachers will be provided with videotape and lesson plans. (1 PLU)

MYSTERY SCIENCE (CRIME LAB SCIENCE) – (8-12) – This course teaches basic chemistry-based scientific procedures in forensic science, which will be used to solve a mystery and a make-believe “crime scene”.  (2 PLUs)

GREAT EXPLORATIONS IN MATH & SCIENCE (GEMS) PHYSICAL SCIENCE - (K-8) - This course is designed to focus specifically on the new Georgia Performance Standards for Physical Science.  This course will feature activities from various GEMS activity books. For each content area, the instructor will present both background information and hands-on activities.  (2 PLUs)

EARTH SCIENCE

GPS:  MIDDLE SCHOOL EARTH SCIENCE – (6) – This course is designed to provide hands-on lab ideas and lesson plans for middle school earth science classes.  Special emphasis will be given to topics and concepts covered in the Georgia Performance Standards for Sixth Grade Science.  (1-2 PLUs)

ESSENTIAL SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS:  EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE - (K-6) - This course is designed to deepen teacher's content knowledge in the Earth and space sciences.  (3 PLUs)

STAR LAB I & II - (K-12) -  This course is an introduction to the STARLAB portable planetarium. Activities will focus on inflation, care and maintenance of the planetarium, projector and cylinders; choosing and using cylinders appropriate to classroom objectives, and hands on activities designed to enhance students understanding of the solar system.  Part II of this course will provide further explorations into the use of STARLAB portable planetarium including development of lessons to be used in conjunction with STARLAB.  (1-2 PLUs)

GREAT EXPLORATIONS IN MATH & SCIENCE (GEMS) EARTH SCIENCE - (3-6) - This course is designed to focus specifically on the new Georgia Performance Standards in Earth Science.  This course will feature activities from seven of the Great Explorations in Math and Science activity books. For each content area, the instructor will present both background information and hands-on activities.  (2 PLUs)

LIFE/ENVIRONMENT/CONSERVATION

GPS TRAINING FOR 7TH GRADE LIFE SCIENCE - This course is designed to improve the science content knowledge of 7th grade teachers and provide them with units, strategies, and learning applications for the Georgia Performance Science Standards. (1 or 2 PLUs)

PROJECT WET AND WILD - (K-12) – Project WET is a water education program created to promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources through interdisciplinary activities which incorporate a variety of teaching strategies linked to state and national curriculum. Project WILD allows teachers to experience an environmental approach to science education that emphasizes wildlife biology Participants will need to purchase the two guides that are packed full of outstanding interdisciplinary activities. (1 PLU)

PROJECT LEARNING TREE/NATIVE SEASONS – (K-12) –  Project Learning Tree provides students an opportunity to investigate environmental issues and encourages them to make informed, responsible decisions.   Native Seasons is a curriculum developed by the Georgia Conservancy which focuses on Georgia's own native plant and animal species.  Participants will need to purchase the two guides that are packed full of outstanding interdisciplinary activities. (1 PLU)

GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM – (K-12) –This course is designed to increase awareness of streams and water quality by giving individuals the tools to evaluate and protect local waterways, to form local Adopt-A-Stream groups and to be the first line of defense in protecting water quality.  (1 PLU)

ANT HOMES UNDER THE GROUND - (PreK-2) - This engaging unit integrates math and science concepts for Pre K-1st grade students. Participants will learn how to engage their Pre K-1st grade students in learning about ant anatomy and behavior by observing these fun creatures in nature and in an ant farm. They play different ant roles like following a scent trail and dragging food through a tunnel-like structure. They assemble a large ant nest poster in stages to highlight tunnels, food, social structure, and life cycle. In the final session, students reinforce their knowledge of ants to practice important math skills such as numbers, patterns, statistics, logic and language. This unit addresses the Life Science GPS for K-2nd Grade.  (1 PLU)

NATIVE SEASONS/NATIVE WATERS - (K-7) - Educators will become empowered by being provided teaching tools that can provide interdisciplinary, practical outdoor learning opportunities for improved student achievement. They will learn the skills necessary to complete interactive projects for the indoor and outdoor classroom. Connections will be made to the curriculum by participating in hands-on activities and scientific investigations.

• Georgia’s Native Waters: Designed to be more than conservation education this curriculum is 212 pages of interdisciplinary lessons and over 55 activities for kindergarten through twelfth grade students that inspire them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations through the investigation of many of Georgia's amazing aquatic ecosystems as found in each of Georgia’s five diverse eco-regions, while at the same time connecting how community values can impact these areas.
• Georgia’s Native Seasons: When you study the natural world you discover that life has few definite beginnings and endings, but rather passes through stages that are part of a continuing cycle. As the seasons revolve, many organisms alter their routines to compensate for the changing temperatures and available food. In this interactive workshop you will explore the changes that occur in the flora and fauna throughout the Georgia seasons.  (1-2 PLUs)

 

CRIME LAB SCIENCE

MYSTERY SCIENCE (CRIME LAB SCIENCE) – (2-8) – This course teaches basic scientific procedures in forensic science, which will be used to solve a mystery and a make-believe “crime scene”.  (2 PLUs)

SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

FAMILY SCIENCE & MATH NIGHT TRAINING - (K-8) - Participants will acquire knowledge necessary to design a Family Math Night program for their schools which will include teachers, parents, and students.  They will identify science concepts at each grade level which need the most reinforcement and experiment will dozens of hands-on activities which will address those concepts.  Activities will be selected and materials prepared to implement a Family Math Night event at their school.  (2 PLUs)

AIMS FOR K-9 TEACHERS - Activities Integrating Math and Science is an excellent way to challenge students with innovative interdisciplinary activities.  AIMS activities are very teacher friendly, using household materials and providing background material.  Step-by-step instructions make using AIMS in the classroom fun. (1-3 PLUs)

THE NEXT MOVE:  STEPS TOWARD CHANGE IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND SCIENCE (K-6) - This Annenberg course addresses how to make the elementary classroom more "student-centered" in relation to math and science.  As participants address issues in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and management, they will learn how to consider the characteristics, needs, and goals of the individual learner. (2 PLUs)

EXPLORING SCIENCE & MATH THROUGH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (K-8) – Participants will identify ways to integrate the teaching of reading and the content area of science and math in the K-8 classroom.  (1 PLUs)

NASA “WHY” FILES – (3-5) –This curriculum supports the teaching of national standards using story lines involving the exploits of six ethnically diverse, inquisitive children who are excited about math, science and technology.  They work together using scientific inquiry to explore and solve “real-world” problems.  The program was developed by NASA.   (1 PLU)

SCIENCE FAIR

NO HASSLE SCIENCE FAIR (K-12) – Learn to take the hassle away from science fair projects.  Strategies will be introduced to make the scientific method usable for students and make everyone a winner.  (1 PLU)

STUDENT PROGRAMS

SCIENCE ENRICHMENT DAY CAMP - (K-8) – Participants will develop activities and create schedules for the summer day camp offered by a GYSTC Center. They will spend the first week planning and then teach the five-day camp to elementary students for a stipend.  (5 PLUs)

SATURDAY SCIENCE ADVENTURE - (K-8) – Participants will learn concepts, activity procedures and plan to present monthly “Saturday Science Adventures” throughout the school year to students in their local school system.  A stipend will be paid for executing the program.   (1 PLU)

LOCAL EXCURSIONS

WONDERFUL WILDFLOWERS – (K-12) – This course will enable teachers to study native wildflowers in their natural habitats and to share knowledge with students through wildlife photography and preserved herbarium specimen.  (1 PLU)

SCIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY - (K-12) – This course is designed in conjunction with local industries to help teachers show a connection between what’s taught in the classroom and what happens on the job.  Hands-on activities for students will demonstrate real-world applications of science in the workplace.  Teachers will tour selected industries and possibly prepare their students for future field trips. (1 PLU)

COASTAL EXCURSIONS

OSSABAW ISLAND:  BIOSTUDY OF BIRDS – (K-12) – Participants will discover the biology of birds using the field laboratory of Cumberland Island National Seashore.  They will study the ecosystems of wild turkeys, marsh species and shorebirds.  Concepts of adaptation, migration, nesting, food sources, conformation, and flight patterns will be covered.  (2 PLUs)

INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL ECOLOGY OF SAPELO ISLAND – (K-12) – This field study will introduce teachers to coastal land features, test kits to gather water quality data and interpret results and observe and identify marine organisms.  Science process skills will be used to explore coastal ecology of Sapelo Island.  (2 PLUs)

INTERNATIONAL EXCURSIONS

The following professional development excursions are offered through Holbrook Travel with PLU credit awarded by GYSTC.  For a current schedule of offerings, dates, locations, and prices, please visit their website at: http://www.holbrooktravel.com/pages/educationexpeditions/professionaldevelopment.aspx

EXPERIENCES BASED LEARNING IN THE RAINFOREST - (K-12) – This excursion to a rainforest of Central America will give participants an opportunity to gain an understanding of ecological diversity, recognize the importance of conservation, the ecological impact of rainforest destruction and recognize the Earth’s atmosphere, water, soil, climate, and geology variations from region to region.  (5-10 PLUs)

ICELAND:  LAND OF ICE & FIRE - (K-12) - (6 PLUs)

THE NATURAL & MAYAN WONDERS OF HONDURAS - (K-12) - (6 PLUs)

WINGS OF WONDER IN MEXICO – (K-12) – In this course, teachers will have the opportunity to participate in the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Wings of Wonder program by “migrating” with the Monarchs to Mexico.  Teachers will establish relationships with partner educators in Mexico, visiting the Monarch sanctuaries, and exploring the cultural and natural history of authentic Mexico.  (5 PLUs)

OTHER INTERNATIONAL EXCURSIONS ARE AVAILABLE

For more information on these courses, please contact your Regional Coordinator:

Paige Carithers

Northeast GYSTC

P.O. Box 1789

Cleveland, GA  30528

(706) 865-2141x236

FAX (706) 865-6748

negystc@pioneerresa.org