NCSSSMST Professional Conference
Day of Exploration

2009 NCSSSMST Day of Exploration Activities March 13th

Registration for the Day of Exploration NOW!!! Register NOW to be guaranteed a slot (remind your friends to register as well). Each participant will submit his/her own registration. The opportunities are on a first come basis. There is no extra registration fee to attend these activities. This event is a new feature of the NCSSSMST professional conference in order to take full advantage of the wealth of STEM relationships in the DC Metro Area.

BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR CHOICE AND NAME AND EMAIL BEFORE SUBMITTING!!!!

Transportation is noted for each activity. NCSSSMST is practicing GREEN transportation by using the DC Metro. A Metro ticket or money will be provided. Lunch will have a stipend or will be provided by the host organization.

Each paid participant may select a 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice. Most of the events are off site and will be facilitated by experienced NCSSSMST educators. Participants may attend only ONE event and you must pick 3 choices.

All activities will start from the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel Salon HJK at 8:30 a.m.
The Day of Exploration will end with a celebration reception held at the GREAT HALL in the Academy of Sciences Building located at 2100 C St. N.W., Washington, DC. (5:00 p.m. - 7: 00 p.m.)

Please note: The activities located at the US Office of Intelligence require participants must be US Citizens and must call in Social Security ID to the sponsoring office by February 27th. These participants will receive separate confirmation to make sure they call in the numbers to make final reservation. The NASA Goddard participants must be US Citizens and be signed up by February 27th.THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL.

Exploration 2009-01 Visit the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association (APA) will follow two strands. In the morning (10-noon) the focus will be on research ethics and related concerns (e.g. institutional review boards). The afternoon session will explore two closely related topics of significant consideration among Consortium schools: adolescent development and gifted/talented. The sessions will draw on the expertise of APA professional staff and would be of interest to counselors, admissions staff, institutional researchers, and teachers of psychology/social science. Maximum 20 participants
Transportation: Metro, Guide: Dr. Jay Thomas, NCSSSMST President. Lunch stipend will be provided.

Exploration 2009-02 Visit the NASA Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, MD
NASA Goddard Space Center is pleased to have NCSSSMST teachers learn more about what they are doing in science! Activities include: presentation: Science in a Sphere, tour of some facilities including the building where the Hubble is housed and a clean room. Information of educational resources available from NASA will be described and some take home materials. Special guest will include a Nobel Scientist. Maximum 25 participants who are US Citizens. Photo ID required.
Transportation: Metro to Greenbelt MD + NASA Bus Guide: Linda Watson , Eleanor Roosevelt Sci/Tech, Lunch stipend will be provided. THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL.

Exploration 2009-03 Visit the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academies
The Koshland Museum is a wonderful resource for teachers and students around the world! Participants will explore the exhibits on and have a roundtable discussion with Patce Legro, Director of the Koshland Museum and other NAS representatives about using real data inscience education. Maximum 20 participant
Transportation: Metro to Gallery Place/Chinatown Lunch stipendwill be provided. Guide: Dr. Cheryl Lindeman, NCSSSMST Executive Director

Exploration 2009-04 Visit the Office of National Intelligence, Langley VA
Join your fellow educators for a Day at the CIA. You will visit the CIA museum and learn from briefers about advanced research projects, cybersecurity and more! Lunch will be on site. Information will be available about the scholarship and special program opportunities for students with STEM interests. This event is sponsored by the Director of Science and Technology's outreach efforts for the US Intelligence Community. Participants must be US Citizens, will be required be on the registration list by February 27th and will be instructed to call in SS number information. THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL.
Transportation: Agency Bus from the Marriott. Lunch Provided. Guide is Doris Johnson, HR manager.

Exploration 2009-05 Visit Catholic University's Engineering Labs
Dean, Charles Nguyen of the College of Engineering will welcome participants and they will visit Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering labs. Maximum 20 participants
Transportation: Metro to CUA Lunch will be provided. Guides: Michael Samordic and Gerald Greenbaum from Eleanor Roosevelt Sci/Tech

Exploration 2009-06 Visit the University of Maryland at College Park
The University of Maryland will showcase current work in the following areas: The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, The College of Chemical and Life Sciences, The College of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and The College of Engineering. Students and admissions representatives will share information about their nationally recognized honors and scholars program. Maximum 20 participants. Lunch Stipend to use at the Student Union.
Transportation: Metro to College Park Guide: Jane Hemelt from Eleanor Roosevelt Sci/Tech

Exploration 2009-07 Visit George Washington University
Participants will visit three activities showcasing the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Nanotechnology and the Introduction of a Studio Model and Learning Environment with the physics department . Undergraduates and graduate students will be involved in the activities. Lunch will be provided at the Marvin Center on campus. Maximum 20 participants.
Transportation: Metro Lunch: stipend provided. Guides: Alexis Donoghue from Eleanor Roosevelt Sci/Tech

Exploration 2009-08 STEM Policy on Capitol Hill
This Day of Exploration will inform participants of the legislative process and structures that exist to support STEM education policy. Participants will spend the day "on the Hill" with AP Government Teacher Melissa Schoeplein, also coordinator of the Science Policy internship program at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Washington insiders who work on STEM policy will start the day by providing a legislative overview on STEM policy issues. Participants will then attend committee hearings, drop by congressional offices to meet with staffers who work on STEM education, and engage in an important discussion with other participants about what your school is doing/can do to transform STEM education. This event is for school leaders and others interested in the link between our schools and policy. Lunch will be on the Hill. Maximum 20 participants.
Transportation: Metro to Capitol Hill South Lunch: Stipend Guide: Melissa Schoeplein, Thomas Jefferson HSST

Exploration 2009-09 Visit Smithsonian Museums Group 1 - Science Focus
This group will start at the Museum of Natural History and proceed as they wish to other museums. The Group will meet for lunch at Capital Gallery Building at Noon followed by a discussion "Smithsonian in Your Classroom" with The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies staff. Location: 4th level conference room, 600 Maryland Ave, SW. Maximum 20 participants.
Transportation: Metro to Smithsonian/National Mall Lunch stipend will be provided. THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL. Guide: Local NCSSSMST Teachers

Exploration 2009-10 Visit Smithsonian Museums Group 2 Art Focus
This group will start at the National Gallery of Art and proceed as they wish to other museums. The Group will meet for lunch at Capital Gallery building at Noon followed by a discussion "Smithsonian in Your Classroom" with The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies staff . Location: 4th level conference room at 600 Maryland Ave, SW. The rest of the afternoon will be for museum visits. Maximum 20 participants
Transportation: Metro to Smithsonian/National Mall Guide: Local NCSSSMST Teachers. Lunch stipend will be provided.

Events at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel - These groups will leave the hotel by 4:00 p.m. and travel by Metro to the Celebration Reception held at the GREAT HALL of the National Academy Building.

Workshop 2009-01 Data Gathering in Upper Level Mathematics
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Salon A
Math teachers, want to add some inquiry and hands-on learning in your classroom? Spend the day working with Vernier probeware to gather real world data. We will work through activities appropriate for Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry to find the mathematics then modify them to fit our individual needs. Graphing calculators and probe ware will be provided. Workshop facilitator is Karen Pikula, math instructor/team leader from the Dearborn Math and Science Center. Texas Instruments will be supporting this workshop with materials. Participants are expected to bring their own graphing calculators. Box Lunch will be provided. Maximum number 25.

Workshop 2009-02 Keystone Youth Policy Summit Mediation Training for Educators

Come learn and practice mediation skills that can be applied in interdisciplinary programs by teachers AND administrators. The Keystone Policy Summit co-directors will lead this session. The skills learned can be applied to lessons you teach. If you are interested in chaperoning a student group to workshop is top on your list! The Keystone Center and NCSSSMST have developed the YPS over the past 5 years. The mediation training is unique to the Keystone Science School's Programs.
Box Lunch will be provided. Maximum number 30. Facilitators: Jeremy Kranowitz & Annmarie Fussell

Workshop 2009-03 Open Forum for Administrators of NCSSSMST Member Schools
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Salon D
If you are a head of school, here is your chance to meet with other like minds to discuss education challenges and successes. Also, you will have an opportunity to share ideas to strengthen NCSSSMST's ties with the schools. Dr. Ron Laugen, former NCSSSMST President will be the facilitator.


Summary List for the Day of Exploration - Please pick your 3 choices by completing the info below: (be sure to include your name, email and select SUBMIT when finished)

BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR CHOICE AND NAME AND EMAIL BEFORE SUBMITTING!!!!

NAME =
email =
Please a 1, 2 or 3 in the appropriate box.
Ex09-01 Visit the American Psychological Association
Ex09-03 Visit the Marian Koshland Sci. Museum of the National Academies
Ex09-05 Visit Catholic University's Engineering Labs
Ex09-06 Visit the University of Maryland at College Park
Ex09-07 Visit George Washington University
Ex09-08 STEM Policy on Capitol Hill
Ex09-10 Visit Smithsonian Museums Group 2 - Art Focus
WS09-01 Data Gathering in Upper Level Mathematics
WS09-02 Keystone Youth Policy Summit Mediation Training for Educators
WS09-03 Open Forum for Administrators of NCSSSMST Member Schools

BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR CHOICE AND NAME AND EMAIL BEFORE SUBMITTING!!!!