Special Opportunities with Science

Track Spring’s Journey North: Migrations, Mystery Schools, More

Charlotte, Vermont (October 2006) – Teachers and students in K-12 classrooms are invited to participate this February through May in Journey North’s 14th global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. One of the nation’s premier Internet-based “citizen science” projects, Journey North enables students in 11,000 schools to track the seasons on a real-time basis. This spring, students will follow and map the migrations of monarch butterflies, bald eagles, hummingbirds, robins, whooping cranes, and other animals; the budding of plants in school tulip gardens; changing sunlight in global “mystery class” locations; and other natural events. They share their own field observations with classmates across North America and analyze data from other classroom and professional scientists.

Each Journey North study features resources that address standards across the curriculum: Journey North for Kids reading booklets and lessons, stunning photos and video clips, weekly migration news updates, interactive real-time maps, connections with field scientists, and compelling migration “stories.” The studies help students fit local observations and inquiries into a global context.

Thanks to a grant from Annenberg Media, Journey North Web site access and participation is free. Visit the Journey North Web site for details: www.learner.org/jnorth. You’ll find an overview of all Journey North projects here: www.learner.org/jnorth/orientation/Overview.html. Plan now; spring projects begin February 2nd!

USA Biology Olympiad
The Center for Excellence in Education, sponsor of the USA Biology Olympiad, invites NSTA high school biology teachers to participate in the 2007 USA Biology Olympiad. In previous years, outstanding teachers have nurtured many USABO semifinalists, national finalists and International Biology Olympiad medalists. The Center for Excellence in Education is committed to nurturing young scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science and technology. Founded by Admiral Rickover in 1983, with Joann DiGennaro, President, the Center serves the top academic achievers in mathematics and science. The rigorous USABO competition registered 7000 students in 2006 and anticipates increased registrations in 2007. Additional information can be found at: http://www.cee.org/usabo. The Teacher Resource Center, available upon school registration, further assists teachers as they prepare students for national and international competition.

Terry L. Hufford, Prof. Emeritus George Washington University
Academic Advisor for the USA Biology Olympiad
www.cee.org

Mark your calendar for Explore UT.
What: "Explore UT: The Biggest Open House in Texas!"
When: Saturday, March 3, 2007, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The University of Texas at Austin
Who's invited: Students K-12, teachers, and families, everyone is welcome
Cost: Free, no registration
Plan a field trip. Choose from more than 350 enrichment activities on campus. Try building a bridge with engineering software, watch water flow uphill in a hydraulics lab, see world-famous paintings in the new Blanton Art Museum, deliver the TV news in a real broadcast studio, watch University students perform a scene from Shakespeare, and more.

For more information, see www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut. By the first of January, you will find the Web site updated with this year’s activities, and you will be able to go online to arrange for lunch in a college dorm, if you choose, and register your bus to facilitate parking.

Contact:
Barbara J. Langham
Explore UT communications consultant
512-346-2261
blangham@austin.utexas.edu