April 9-10 1999 proved to be AWESOME when participants from both the Arkansas and Texas Project LIFE programs joined forces in Bossier City, Louisiana, for the final workshop of the academic year. During the two-day event, over 35 outstanding educators participated in numerous activities that focused on the workshop’s theme of "Animal Adaptations". The activities were designed to help increase students’ understanding of science by actively engaging the students in interesting and relevant activities that facilitate the learning process. The teachers also experienced many ways of effectively assessing student learning. In addition to the academic portion of the workshop, the participants also visited the SciPort Discovery Center in downtown Shreveport, as well as enjoyed the feature "Search for the Great Sharks" at the unique IMAX Dome Theatre in the Center. This two day workshop wrapped up each educator’s academic year follow-up to their 1998 Project LIFE Summer Institute. As part of the final requirements, implementation portfolios documenting each teacher’s classroom experiences were presented for final evaluation and review. In addition, each participant completed science process skills assessments as well as science education attitude surveys. Each of these exemplary educators is to be commended for the outstanding work done throughout all phases of this challenging professional development opportunity.

Project LIFE thanks you!!!

Nola Schmidt, Nacogdoches High School, reports that "Little Bunny LB" had four babies on Palm Sunday! LB was adopted by Nola’s class last summer. The new bunnies will be available for adoption by the end of April. Also new at NHS are three leopard geckos! The classes are anxiously awaiting the hatching of two gecko eggs in the incubator now. Nola and her students are grateful for the generous donation of the geckos. Nola also wants to thank her students for honoring her and the class fish by not dropping soap in the aquarium this semester!!

Christopher Nauls, Boulter Middle School, will have folks from the Texas Agriculture Department in his classroom for demonstrations on various water testing procedures as well as air quality testing. Chris will also receive individual training from these specialists. His school district has arranged for teachers from every school to do water testing with Camp Tyler, an outdoor school in the area. Chris also reminds everyone that canning jars or ziplock bags are excellent substitutes for beakers!!

Julie Wasinger, Carroll Middle School, was part of a team of teachers that planned an interdisciplinary unit entitled "The Trial of Santa Anna". Julie was able to modify the chromatography work that she learned in Project LIFE to incorporate forensic science experts into the trial process!

Nacogdoches High’s Donna Christopher said one of her pre-AP Biology 1 students recently said, "This is the one class that I look forward to everyday. I never know what we’re going to do!" Donnais trained in Project LIFE!

Happy Modisette, Central Elementary School, received $300 from Wal Mart to begin Environmental projects. She plans to begin a paper recycling program, create a fossil dig, and do some planting on campus. She reports that her class just returned from the Houston Natural Science Museum where they spent the day engaged in hands-on lessons. In addition, they got to view the entire museum plus see an IMAX film! Happy also reports that they have a new strawberry patch on campus! More firsts include a Science Fair which enlisted the help of parents and other volunteers. Her students are also completing research and study on biomes of the world. The students have created murals of each and written essays. Plus, a newsletter is being written for the students to take home to report all of their wonderful work!

Cindy Dyes, Woden High School, had her students complete a scavenger hunt where all kingdoms are represented. The students had to I. D. the kingdom and phylum organisms are in with extra credit for further classification! She also shares a couple of tips: because some of the Project LIFE handouts require a good bit of paper, said that most of the activities the student referred to were from Project LIFE!! Donna also reminds everyone that if you need Fast Plant stakes, pipe cleaners or twist ties work really well.

Ellen Harris, Central High School, and her Environmental Science Class just began their independent research projects using the outdoor classroom. Each student will determine, design, and implement their research during the final nine weeks of school. They will then present the results to local biologists and ecologists May 12 in poster presentation form. The Environmental Science class also toured Boggy Slough, Temple Island’s hunting club. The 10,000 acre area is managed for antlered whitetail deer, turkey, quail, and ducks. Ellen’s students collected and identified aquatic plants and organisms for Central’s outdoor classroom pond. Ellen and Tracey Meador, also at Central High School, proudly report a 95% passing rate for the end-of-course test in Biology for this fall! Tracy has re-worked some traditional lab activities and presented them to her students as "discovery learning" opportunities this year. She also reports that Central High is one of two East Texas High Schools chosen to participate in the NASA Fly High Program. Ten of Central’s finest will travel to Houston for this honor. Tracy also includes that her school’s Teacher of the Year, Diana Furay, has implemented Project LIFE into her classes from the materials and information shared by colleagues trained in Project LIFE!

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IMPORTANT WEB SITE!!

Right now you can browse the following site for all types of wonderful science materials and ideas AT NO COST! It is a limited offer so give it a look now—you’ll definitely see something you like! http://www.logal.net

Use your summer wisely! Write an article for "The Science Teacher". Your teaching style is unique and TST wants to know what’s happening in your class!

Author guidelines are in the newsletter.

Congratulations to Chris Nauls, Boulter Middle School, on the recent accomplishments of his son, Phillip. He was recently selected as President of the National Junior Honor Society. Phillip will also participate in Senior National Little Dribblers in Beaumont, Texas. Hats off also to Nola Schmidt, Nacogdoches High School and her two children. Daughter Jenny, a member of the twirling team, recently placed 2nd at a SFASU competition. And son David made his debut as a baseballer and pitcher this spring!! Good job to all involved and keep up the good work!

DON’T FORGET TO APPLY FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS NEXT YEAR...

CONTACT CATHI FOR MORE INFO AND HELPFUL HINTS AND TIPS!