Program of the Month: Bennett's Millpond Project
For the last seven years, the Bennett’s Millpond Project has been a strong model of Place Based Learning in Northeastern North Carolina. This environmental learning project brings students and teachers together for extended field research at an historic Chowan County millpond. The student researchers learn the science, but also learn the value of natural resources in their local place. A significant number of Millpond Project student graduates are pursuing degrees preparing for a STEM career. Learn more...

Welcome Geraldine Cochran to The Science House
Please join The Science House staff in welcoming Geraldine Louise Cochran to the team. She assists in managing the operations of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Photonics Leaders II program for high school students and teachers. She received her BS in physics, BS in Mathematics, and M.A.T. (specialization: secondary school physics) from Chicago State University. Geraldine has taught physics at the high school and collegiate level. She has been active in physics education research since 2001 and also conducts research in astronomy education.

Energy Videos from FREEDM
A new series of videos from the FREEDM (Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems) Center and The Science House will help students in grades 6-12 and their teachers understand how to get more involved in the future of energy generation, consumption and conservation. The three videos are available through YouTube and iTunes University and can be accessed from The Science House Web site.

Year-Round Science Program Opportunity for Rising Sophomores
Applications are now being accepted for the Photonics Leaders II (PL2) (rising 10th graders) program. This year-round program provides hands-on scientific learning experiences in laser technology, electronics, and optics. A goal of the program is to expose students to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. PL2 incorporates mentoring, job shadowing and independent research projects to equip participants to behave and think like scientists. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn scholarship stipends. Learn more about the program and pre-register for the two-year program by March 26.

Spring Workshops in WNC
These upcoming workshops are open to western NC educators.

Get Out (Outside That Is!): Introduction to Using GPS Devices
March 24, 2010
Are you tired of doing the same old thing in your classes? Are you ready to spice things up and try something new? How would you like having GPS devices brought to your classroom when you requested them? Join us on March 24, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Express, Wilkesboro for a day of training courtesy of the NWRESA and The Science House of NC State University. We will use GPS devices to explore new and exciting ways to teach science concepts. You will have the opportunity to investigate many types of caches, how to incorporate the technology into your existing lessons, and also have time to create new lessons. No previous experience with GPS units required! This workshop is appropriate for 6-12th grade teachers (especially wonderful for integrated lessons). Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science and Biology content will be addressed and aligned to the NCSCOS. To register for this workshop, please go to www.nwresa.org. Registration is on-line.

Say What? Inquiry for the Elementary Classroom
March 25, 2010 9am - 3pm
Bring a student’s mind to life! “Sit-and-get” lessons become a thing of the past as you transform your classroom into a center of active learning by being a “guide-on-the-side”. This workshop is designed to increase teacher awareness of standards-based instruction with a focus on inquiry-based pedagogy and integrated learning. Teachers develop their own definition of inquiry while exploring different levels of inquiry instruction. During the inquiry-based activities, teachers will learn techniques of questioning to support the discovery process. Participants will also learn how to shift their current science lessons toward inquiry. This workshop is appropriate for Elementary School Teachers. Limited to 30 participants. To register for this workshop, please go to www.wresa.org. Registration is on-line.

More With Your GPS (Part II of The Science House GPS Workshop Series)
May 19, 2010 9 am - 3:00 pm
Are you tired of doing the same old thing in your classes? Are you ready to spice things up and try something new? How would you like having GPS devices brought to your classroom when you requested them? Join us for a day of training courtesy of The Science House of NC State University. We will use GPS devices to explore new and exciting ways to teach science concepts. You will have the opportunity to incorporate the technology into your existing lessons, create new lessons, discover the simplicity of loading a cache into your GPS and explore collaborative technologies. Some experience with GPS units suggested! This workshop is appropriate for 6-12th grade teachers (especially wonderful for integrated lessons). Science content will be addressed and aligned to the NCSCOS. Limited to 25 participants. To register for this workshop, please go to www.wresa.org. Registration is on-line.

Summer Imhotep Academy and Algebra Program
Imhotep Academy’s summer programs for middle school students consist of three classes related to a theme decided by the teachers and includes a snack break. Both programs are excellent and your child will enjoy them. Program fees are $125.00 for each session you plan to attend. After the May 1 deadline the cost is $150.00/per session. Learn more and register online.

The summer session of Imhotep Academy will be held June 14-18, 2010 at 7:45 am – 12:15 pm each day. Content includes technology, mathematics/algebra and science. Students and parents must attend the mandatory orientation scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 6:30 pm at The Science House.

The Imhotep Algebra program is for 7th grade students and above and will include content, application and technology. It will be held July 19- 23, 2010 7:45 am – 12:15 pm each day. Algebra is a powerful tool for making sense of the world, solving problems, modeling everyday numerical scenarios and can be learned by all students and their parents too. Students and parents must attend the mandatory orientation scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 6:30 pm at The Science House.

Physics, Chemistry and Physical Science Modeling Summer Workshops
The North Carolina Modeling Instruction Workshops provide professional development opportunities in physics, physical science and chemistry content and research-based, reform-oriented pedagogy for teachers in North Carolina. These intense workshops will be held at NC State on July 6-23, 2010 and include Friday follow up sessions. Stipends, room & board and substitutes will be provided. Learn more and register.

Ag-DISCOVERY Summer Camp
Investing in the Future of Plant Science will be heldJuly 12-23, 2010 for 14-17 year olds. This two-week program will help students learn about careers in plant science and veterinary medicine. Students live on campus, learning field and laboratory research techniques from university professors and practicing entomologists, botanists, and plant pathologists working for the U.S. Government. Learn more and register.

RISE Program for Incoming Freshman
This six-week summer program provides an introduction to scientific research at the University level for incoming NC State University freshman. Students will assist research scientists on the NC State Campus in the physical or life sciences and develop a topic for thier own research. Learn more and apply online.

Scope Academy
Web registration is now available for Scope Academy 2010 to be held April 9-10, 2010. To register, please visit www.pams.ncsu.edu/weekend. To help us kick off the 50th anniversary of the founding of NC State's College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS), this year all Saturday events are free of charge. Highlights of this year's event include classroom sessions on some of today's most thought-provoking scientific topics led by our distinguished faculty and alumni. This year's exciting seminars include "Personalized Medicine," "The Chemistry of Addiction," "Where Stars Collide," "Voodoo Statistics and Trust Me Science" and more. Register today at www.pams.ncsu.edu/weekend or contact pams_info@ncsu.edu for more information.

Bring the Science House Teacher Workshops to Your School
The Science House also provides one or two-day programs to update and refresh teachers' mathematics, science and Internet skills. These workshops have been taught many times in schools across North Carolina. Our workshop participants learn skills and activities that they can immediately use in their own classrooms. We especially emphasize programs to help meet teacher technology competencies. Each workshop can be tailored to fit local needs. Please visit the workshop web page for more information on our workshop, or contact Scott Ragan at The Science House, or call (919) 515-6118.

Science House Mailing List
Now it's easier than ever to receive The Science House Newsletter! Simply join the listserv, and you will receive a monthly update on programs, events and other opportunities at The Science House. This service is set up so that you will only receive the newsletter - no other postings are allowed to the listserv. To join, send an e-mail message to mj2@lists.ncsu.edu. In the subject line, type the word "subscribe". In the body of the message, type "subscribe science_house your e-mail address". For example, this command should appear in the body of the message as: subscribe science_house your.email@school.edu. You must confirm your subscription by replying to the email or clicking on the link provided in the e-mail and following the directions on the web site.