On the Web: New Teacher Tips

SciLinks®

SciLinks® is a web-based service from NSTA that provides online content chosen to augment printed articles and books. It does so through keywords; the keyword for this issue is Mentoring.

NSTA Calendar

The NSTA Calendar lists the following opportunities relating to New Teacher Tips. To learn about other science-education events and opportunities, visit http://www.nsta.org/publications/calendar.

• Survival Guide for New Teachers
  Developed by the U.S. Department of Education, the Survival Guide for New Teachers includes the reflections of award-winning first-year teachers who talk candidly about their successes and setbacks, with a particular emphasis on the relationships they formed with their colleagues, university professors, and their students’ parents. The book includes suggestions about how new teachers can foster supportive professional relationships and what they stand to gain from them.
• New Teacher Questions
  The National Education Association website lists 30 questions that new teachers should find the answers to during the first two weeks of school.
• NSTA New Science Teacher Academy
  The NSTA New Science Teacher Academy is a professional development initiative created to help to promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge.
• NSTA Discussion Board Forum: New Teachers
  The New Teacher forum on NSTA’s Discussion Board allows an exchange of ideas and opinions on topics related to science education. Both new and experienced teachers participate.
• The MERLOT Digital Library
  The Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) Digital Library offers constantly updated resources for teaching and learning science. It is recommended by NSTA New Science Teacher Academy fellows. Teachers can find peer-reviewed online teaching and learning materials, and share advice and expertise about education with expert colleagues.
• The Exploratorium Teacher Institute Program for New Science Teachers
  In the Teacher Institute, teachers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area join in an inquiry-based, content-rich professional development program. The Exploratorium is a world famous museum of science, art, and human perception. Exhibits are interactive and hands-on. The Teacher Institute uses these exhibits as the foundation for its programs for teachers. Participants receive generous stipends.
• American Museum of Natural History’s Seminars on Science
  Teachers can deepen their knowledge of the life, Earth, and physical sciences with these online graduate science courses. Each of the 10 six-week courses immerses the learner in a collaborative investigation of topics from evolution to ocean dynamics to quantum physics. All courses are taught by museum scientists and educators and highlight current, cutting-edge research. Those who sign up early receive a $50 discount off the price of each course.
• Fall Conference on Case Study Teaching in Science
  The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science at State University of New York–Buffalo will bring together educators interested in teaching science using case studies. Taking place September 26–27, 2008, at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Amherst, New York, the conference will feature speakers, a poster session, and a number of mini-workshops organized in two tracks: one for the beginner and the other for the more experienced case teacher.
• Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellowships
  Beginning August 1, 2008, the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) is seeking applicants for its cohort of teaching fellows: individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree in a physical science, engineering, or mathematics and now want to teach science or math in U.S. high schools. KSTF Teaching Fellowships support individuals both professionally and financially for up to five years through a teacher preparation program to eligibility for tenure. The deadline is January 14, 2009.
• Astronomy Research-Based Science Education Workshop
  This program is designed for science teachers in grades 9–12 who are interested in bringing astronomy projects to their students. Teachers selected participate in a 12-week online course and a 10-day summer institute, which includes observing with research-class telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. Application forms will be available on the website in fall 2008.