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Dear Educators,

Welcome back to school!

Below are a few of the  STEM course offerings and activities for teachers and students taking place in the Berkshires this fall. Please take advantage of these great opportunities!

If there are any programs or activities you would like to add just let me know!
Check out our website:
http://www.mcla.mass.edu/pipeline/bp/Teacher%20Resources.php

Hot off the press: The Region 1 High School Science fair is planned for March 13, 2009!

Lisa Provencher
Berkshire STEM Pipeline Coordinator

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Berkshire STEM Pipeline Teacher STEM Seminars Fall 2008 Saturdays September 13 to Nov. 8
Sustainable Building Lecture Saturday September 13
Berkshire Robotics Challenge registration deadline September 22, 2008
MCLA Masters of Education in the Content Areas

STEM Seminars Fall 2008 September 13 to Nov. 8
Designed for STEM teachers; new teachers are especially welcome
Five Seminars this fall; 8:30-1 at MCLA except as noted below
• Educational materials, refreshments, PDPs
• Advance registration is required; capacity is limited
• Cost $35 per session, $125 for all five sessions
• 4 PDPs per half day session; option for grad credits at reduced cost with extra work.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CONTACT LISA PROVENCHER 413-662-5525 OR >lisa.provencher@mcla.edu<

September 13: Learning by Design and Green Building
Instructor Erika Zekos is the Western MA Program Coordinator for Learning By Design.
Building on the success of the city-wide "Box City" program of 2006, this workshop will introduce teachers to the fundamentals of using architectural design in the classroom. Discover ideas for integrating sustainable (or "green") architecture with math and science investigations by exploring the relationships between the natural, built and community systems all around us. Teachers will receive handouts and MA Frameworks based project ideas as well as resource lists.
Target level: grades 5 - 7
Location: Joe Scelsi Intermodal Education Center, Pittsfield
Immediately following this workshop is a talk by renowned architect Bruce Fowle, Senior Principal, FAIA, LEED, FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS of New York City and Dubai, to discuss these timely topics: • The State of the Planet • Zero-Carbon and the Proposed Housatonic River Museum • The Role of Buildings in Climate Change • High-Performance/Low-Energy Building Design and Planning
Location: Colonial Theater in Pittsfield

Sept. 27 or Oct. 4 Innovations Berkshire Museum
Curtis Asch, Education Program Manager, Berkshire Museum
Become an innovator as you explore the Berkshire Museum's new interactive exhibition. Take part in a hands-on experience and explore the Use Your Noodle curriculum, get an extensive tour of the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation and an opportunity to view the newly remodeled galleries. Complimentary copies of the Use Your Noodle curriculum kit and DVD will be available. 10am to 2pm.

Target level: K-12 teachers
Location: Berkshire Museum 32 North Street, Pittsfield MA.

Oct. 13: Bridge Building
Robert Maloney, Engineer, General Dynamics AIS
This seminar will provide insight into engineering with the primary goal of ultimately improving problem-solving skills of the students. The focus will be on structural engineering, studying the design of buildings and bridges. Join us and explore some of the basic math, engineering and design principals that are applied to building and developing a clear understanding of the engineering approach to problem solving.
Target level: K-12 teachers
Location: MCLA

Oct. 11: Electricity and Magnets
Michael Dalton, Professor, MCLA
We are all familiar with the phenomena of electricity and magnetism, and can cite many everyday examples. But what is the relationship between electricity and magnetism? This seminar is designed to provide an elementary yet solid foundation in these areas by using examples and activities that are simple, safe, and inexpensive. Activity Make your own shake flashlight!
arget level: 6-12 grades
Location: MCLA, Murdock 120.

Nov. 8: BioTechnology Workshop
Shahira Badran, Assistant Professor & Biotechnology Program Coordinator, Bunker Hill Community College, Paul King, Instructor, Massasoit Community College, and Ann Billetz, Professor, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
An ALL-DAY biotechnology workshop at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in North Adams, Massachusetts. The workshop will consist of a hands-on wet lab featuring biotechnology techniques and a presentation explaining the underlying concepts and real life applications of these techniques. In addition, the workshop will address the different applications and career opportunities of the biotech industry. Teachers will receive handouts and information on other related activities and biotech online resources.
Target level: High School/Undergraduate
Location: MCLA

Green Buildings September 13
Conversation with renowned architect Bruce Fowle, Senior Principal, FAIA, LEED, FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS of New York City and Dubai, sponsored by the Housatonic River Museum and U.S. Green Building Council Berkshire Branch
• The State of the Planet • Zero-Carbon and the Proposed Housatonic River Museum
• The Role of Buildings in Climate Change • High-Performance/Low-Energy Building Design and Planning.
Location: Colonial Theater in Pittsfield

Berkshire Robotics Challenge registration deadline September 22, 2008
The Berkshire Robotics Challenge 2009 (BRC 2009) offers an opportunity for children from third to eighth grade (ages 8-14) to build their science and computer skills while designing and programming a robot to complete a challenge. Students will work in teams toward a competitive goal while learning problem-solving, teamwork and good sportsmanship. The event is a blast!
The BRC 2009 challenge is called "Climate Connections-Building a Global Game Plan".

Our Berkshire County competition will be held on a Saturday in early March 2009 at the Lenox Memorial Middle School/High School and is based on the FIRST LEGO League Challenge.

All interested teams must register with BRC 2009 by e-mailing Denise Johns, of the Berkshire Applied Technology Council at djohns@berkshirecc.edu with team name, coach's names, team roster (if possible) and e-mail address and phone number. Additionally, you must send a check for $25 for each team payable to the Berkshire Applied Technology Council to:

Berkshire Applied Technology Council, Inc.
C/O Berkshire Community College
1350 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201


Starting this fall, MCLA is offering a M.Ed. in the Content Areas at the Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Education Center in Pittsfield, providing:

• A strong background in educational foundations
• Curriculum development
• Instructional theory
• Educational research
Content Area Courses Leading to Professional License
• English
• History
• Mathematics
• Science
For more information contact Ellen Barber, chair MCLA Education ebarber@mcla.edu or
Susan Wismer, Licensure Officer, Education Department 413-662-5522

 

 

This message sent to bmalkas@pittsfield.net by Lisa.Provencher@mcla.edu.
Berkshire STEM Pipeline Network - MCLA 375 Church Street - North Adams, MA 01247
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