Texas Project LIFERs had their second academic year workshop on Saturday, January 9, 1999, on the Stephen F. Austin campus. Participants worked in teams to solve environmental issues and problems through hands-on activities that showcased components of an interdisciplinary unit. Whether illustrating mathematics through graphing, geography through map reading, or language arts through reading and writing, these LIFERs got a first hand look at how interdisciplinary units are put together and common goals are achieved. The day’s activities ended with the teachers designing their own units and discussing how these could be implemented into their classes. Both Linda and Cathi appreciate their hard work throughout the day and their continued enthusiasm toward the improvement of science education and their own professional development. GOOD JOB!!!

"survey says..."
Members of Texas Project LIFE participated in a survey to assist the LIFE instructors in assessing the successful implementation of Project LIFE activities into the classroom. Preliminary results indicate that 100% of those surveyed are using the Project LIFE materials and information with the following more specific background:
94% report using PL classroom management techniques, supplies/materials, and laboratory safety procedures;
94% integrate math with science;
88% use the questioning techniques and science activities.
81% have animals and plants in the classroom;
69% are using sponge activities as well as integrating the various science disciplines
63% have done outdoor activities and taught lessons through inquiry;
56% indicated they integrate science with other subjects as well as used the learning cycle.

100% of those surveyed also reported the use of cooperative learning groups in the classroom.
94% use assigned tasks,
75% work on specific socialization skills
63% use group grading.
88% indicated that they use real world applications in their instruction
69% have used alternative assessment techniques which is broken down as follows:
75% focusing on higher level questioning,
63% use projects and concept maps,
56% implemented performance assessment,
44% have their students write about science and use learning logs,
37% use journals, and
13% are working on student portfolios. In addition:
37% reported that they received additional support for their science program with:
50% citing their principal and/or staff,
25% noted business support,
13% named school organizations and the school system, and
1% had received grant support.

This shows that these teachers are working very hard to improve the work in their classrooms and keep their methodologies and techniques on the "cutting edge" in an effort to see a greater level of success among their students. Project LIFE thanks them for participating in the survey and congratulates them on a JOB VERY WELL DONE!!!

May this holiday find the hearts of all our Project LIFE participants in excellent condition, both physically and emotionally. Here’s to a wonderful day that lasts long after the chocolate runs out and many hopes that cupid hits you right where you need it! !

Bill will officially leave bachelorhood behind on Saturday, April 24, 1999, when he marries his "special" Valentine. Due to his upcoming nuptials, Project LIFE will move the date for the 2-day spring workshop scheduled for the same day. Watch for updates as plans come together for the joint meeting in Shreveport between Texas and Arkansas LIFERs.

ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE, SUMMER 1999

EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND TECHNOLOGY . . .

A career workshop for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls on Saturday, at April 17, 1999 at Tyler Junior College from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. Co-sponsored by Tyler Junior College and the Tyler Branch of the American Association of University Women, the program will feature professional women from the community showing how they use math, science, and technology in their careers. For more information, call 903-510-2370 or 510-2588.

A variety of resources can be purchased from TERCworks, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140; call (617) 547-0430 FAX (617) 349-3535; http://www.terc.edu brochures are available upon request. Notable examples of materials include: Visual Earth: a two part series, Exploring the Ocean and Exploring Marine Life, allows you to explore planet Earth and the life on it, using a multimedia data bank of satellite imagery, electronic maps, 3-D flyovers, and animations. Project DATA-The Human Body: collect, graph, and interpret real experimental data, then compare results with other student scientists on the Internet; Global Lab: a year-long integrated introductory science course for students in grades 8-10 that provides investigations of local and global environments that allow the students to explore science concepts and develop research skills; New and Redesigned Units for National Geographic Kids Network: the program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to studying globally significant science topics with new units developed for students in grades 6-9

Astrobiology: The Search for Life on Other Worlds: This is a new interdisciplinary high school course and TERC and NASA are seeking teachers to test it in the Spring of 1999. Contact brian_drayton@terc.edu Kids Network Literacy Supplements: TERC is looking for teachers to test materials for students in grades 3-6 that focus on reading, writing, and communicating about science for use with the award-winning elementary units in the Kids Network series. Contact judy_vesel@terc.edu Science that Counts in the Workplace; this project is looking for physics teachers (grades 11-12) to field test the mentioned curriculum during the 1999-2000 school year to develop students’ understanding of physics concepts by presenting science-rich problems that designers, technicians, and other professionals address in a range of work settings. Contact amy_weinberg@terc.edu.

The following "Bat Links" were made possible through the Bronx Zoo in New York: Do bats live in your state? Visit http://members.aol.com/bats4kids to find out that and more. Are you "blind as a bat"? Try http://www.torstar.com/rom/batcave/index.html for the answer. You can visit http://www.batcon.org; and listen to actual bat echolocation sounds! That’s just for starters. For more bat "info" contact Cathi. To learn more about the Bronx Zoo Projects, write the Bronx Zoo Education Department, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460-1099. Cathi is one of their "graduates" and can give you the real scoop!!

DON’T FORGET . . .

Pat Weems, Hudson High School, has his students putting together a Power Point Project for their study on the Animal Kingdom. His AP Biology class used a wonderful cell game during their study as well as used Play-doh to construct the three germ layers—endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm. Down the hall at Hudson High, Mack Austin has developed a wonderful activity to help his students study adaptations. Based on the Project LIFE "create a critter" activity, this idea takes students to many more levels. Mack assigns a set of climatic conditions for each group of students and has them design an organism that could live in that environment. Such things as body coverings, protective coloration, diet, locomotion, reproductive means, etc. are to be considered. Finally a scientific name must be created and assigned before being explained to the class. Sounds great! Susan Sanders, Central Junior High School, received a $1500 grant from the Texas Agriculture Extension Service. This is to improve their educational wetland area. In addition, they are building a new pond in the outdoor classroom to study the frog population. Susan also indicates that she is incorporating the Wisconsin Fast Plant Unit into the TEKS on Genetics. To make this study more effective, she is in the process of building plant lights for each lab table. Julie Wasinger, Carroll Middle School, has just moved into a new building with a fabulous, fully equipped science lab for her students to work in! She says it is absolutely wonderful and now gives her plenty of room to implement ALL of the Project LIFE activities. Cindy Dyes, Woden High School, reports that her classroom pond is doing great and especially thanks Nola Schmidt, Nacogdoches High School, for providing the duckweed and elodea for the pond. Great team work girls! Angela Smith, Chapel Hill Middle School, has her students working on Scientific Method and has developed lab sheets to help guide the students toward a more successful investigative experience. The guides help them set-up the experiment as well as provide excellent reflective measures following the conclusion. The students are also studying the metric system and gathering water bottles and soda bottles to show how much a kiloliter is in bundles of decaliters. Angela has also used dental floss as meter tapes when showing the students different units of measure.