From: amak@uoft02.utoledo.edu
Newsgroups: sci.physics
Subject: Summer Astronomy Institute for K-12 Educators
Date: 10 Jan 93 19:11:45 EST
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

                               UT-SPICA
                       1993 Summer Institute
                       For Science Teachers
                      At The University of Toledo


General Information about UT-SPICA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The University of Toledo Department of Physics and Astronomy and the the
College of Education are sponsoring a Summer Institute in Astronomy for
secondary, middle, and elementary science teachers, modelled on the very
successful SPICA (Support Program for Instructional Competency in
Astronomy) workshops given at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard
University.  The University of Toledo SPICA will consist of a three week
session for 25 selected science teachers, who will receive training in
Astronomy and associated science education principles.  The daily sessions will
include lectures, laboratory/workshop activities, special research talks,
planetarium sessions and instructions, and evening observing sessions. 
Participants in the workshop will strengthen their Astronomy/Physics
backgrounds, become familiar with the latest astronomy education resources, and
become part of a network of ``expert'' teachers who will be able to draw on the
information resources of UT's Ritter Planetarium for ongoing support. 

Summer Institute participants will receive a stipend of  $300 per week.
Participants may receive up to eight quarter hours of graduate credit in
Physics or Education for their workshop experience. Tuition fee waivers will be
provided by the University of Toledo for the graduate credit. Associated
student fees must be paid for by the participants if graduate credit is
desired. All supplies and material will be provided by UT-SPICA.   Participants
will be housed, double occupancy, in Parks Tower, a modern air conditioned high
rise residence hall on campus. A continental breakfast and lunches will be
provided on weekdays. Participants will be reponsible for dinners and weekend
meals. 

While the actual workshop will be run on weekdays, we will also provide
optional activities on the weekends for those wishing to stay.  These
activities will be scientific, educational, cultural, and recreational in
nature.  Lodging will be provided during the weekends for those
wishing to stay. 

The Summer Institute dates are July 19 to August 6, 1993.  Priority will be 
given to those applications received by March 1, 1993.  Those accepted will
be notified by April 15, 1993.

Selected Topics and Activities
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The UT-SPICA institute will utilize the facilities of the Department of Physics
and Astronomy at the University of Toledo.  This includes the Ritter 
Observatory, Ritter Planetarium, and the Brooks Observatory.
Most topics will include a hands-on lab, or observing component. There will
also be ample opportunities to meet informally with research astronomers. 

* Intense astronomy instruction
* Basic science instruction as it relates to astronomy
* New frontiers in astronomy and space exploration
* Effective methods of teaching astronomy
* Classroom astronomy projects
* An interdisciplinary approach to teaching astronomy
* Building a small telescope
* Selection and use of small telescopes
* Individual and group observing projects
* Astrophotography and photometry
* How to fully utilize a planetarium
* Introduction to planetarium production and operations
* Evening trip to a dark observing site with several portable telescopes

UT-SPICA Personnel
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Director: Dr. Bernard W. Bopp

Bernard W. Bopp, Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Ritter Observatory, 
is the Director of UT-SPICA.  Dr.\ Bopp has taught astronomy and physics at the 
University of Toledo for 18 years.  His professional publications in astronomy 
exceed 100 titles.  He was the 1990 recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award 
at the University of Toledo, and is one of only three (out of 800) faculty 
members at UT to have received University awards for both outstanding research 
and outstanding teaching.

Associate Director: Dr. Jerry Underfer

Dr. Jerry Underfer has taught science and mathematics in grades 4 through 12.  
For the past 26 years he has taught and/or directed 25 science summer and 
inservice institutes for elementary and secondary teachers.  Dr.\ Underfer's 
graduate work in science education included five astronomy/astrophysics 
courses at the University of Iowa.  He has continued to exercise his 
observational skills in astronomy via regular field trips conducted for 
students at all levels as part of his courses or as a public service for 
elementary and secondary schools.

Instructor: Robert Gardner

Robert Gardner has taught astronomy courses for 30 years out of a total of 40
years as a teacher.  As Director of the Toledo School System's Planetarium, he
has worked with teachers throughout the city for 12 years.  Mr.\ Gardner has
been one of the most active promoters of observational astronomy programs in
Northwest Ohio during the last 25 years. 

Instructor: Alexander Mak

Alexander Mak, Assistant Director of the Ritter Planetarium, has worked at the
planetarium for 11 years.  His recent projects have included the development
and presentation of a five-part workshop on amateur astronomy and the creation
of a comprehensive teacher's guide to the planetarium.  One of Mr. Mak's
long-term goals is the production and distribution of inter-disciplinary
programs designed  especially for small planetaria (usually attached to middle
or high schools) with limited projection capabilities. 


Requirements and Responsibilities
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
To be considered for this program an applicant must currently be an active
school teacher teaching any grade level from K through 12. One of the major
goals of the SPICA program is to produce a cadre of ``expert'' teachers
capable of providing astronomical background instruction to their colleagues. 
One method through which this goal will be accomplished will be the workshops
held by UT-SPICA graduates. The applicant must commit to conduct two, two to
three hour long, workshops per year for the following two years.    A letter
from the applicant's school principal is required, stating that the local school
will share with UT-SPICA the expenses for these workshops (e.g. printing of
handouts), as well as providing released time for the teacher to prepare and run
them.  One workshop will be in the teacher's own locale as part of the local
inservice program and will attract elementary, middle or high school teachers
from their own and adjacent school districts.  The second workshop will be set
up as part of a regional meeting of a professional organization to which the
teacher belongs. These could be parts of regional meetings of national
societies or state or regional associations.  To provide the greatest possible
access to information on astronomy education, teachers will each establish an
``information office'' for her or his region of the country.  The office will
consist of a mailing address (postal or computer) at which the teacher can be
reached for questions concerning astronomy education. The Ritter Planetarium
will provide information and continuing support for the local information
offices. 

Selection Procedures
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
UT-SPICA hopes to draw a wide variety of teachers from the entire Midwest.
Selection will be made on the basis of the following:

* The applicant's educational background
* Involvement with scientific and teaching organizations
* Copies of activities developed by the applicant (astronomy,
  science education, or general education)
* Letter of recommendation from department head or principal
* Written permission from local school for the use of UT-SPICA material and 
  material support for local workshops and the establishment of the information 
  office
* Administrative approval for released time to prepare for and run two 
  teacher workshops during the academic year
* Previous workshops attended, if any


While we have no set formula, we would like to have an even geographic
distribution from throughout the midwest, including a representative
distribution of teachers from urban, suburban and rural schools. We are also
hoping for a balance between elementary, middle, and high school teachers.
Finally, we encourage qualified women and minorities to apply. 


For more information, or application for with instructions please contact:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Alexander T. Mak                  
                                
Assistant Director, Ritter Planetarium     Voice:    (419) 537-4641
and Brooks Observatory                     Fax:      (419) 537-2723 
The University of Toledo                   Bitnet:   amak@uoft02.bitnet
Toledo, Ohio 43606                         Internet: amak@uoft02.utoledo.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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