March 01, 2004
Conference will attract teachers from around the state
CARBONDALE, Ill. - More than 300 science teachers from throughout the state are coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale later this week to gather ideas and try out some of the latest classroom activities.
The eighth annual Science in the South conference offers science-related workshops and presentations for kindergarten through 12th grade science teachers and administrators.
The conference is Friday, March 5, at the Student Center, with one demonstration at the Neckers Building computer laboratory. The first of three sessions begins at 8:30 a.m.
The 32 workshops feature teachers from throughout Southern Illinois demonstrating activities for teaching science and math concepts in the classroom.
Media Advisory
Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover any of the demonstrations and interview participants. For more information contact Kathy Pericak-Spector at 618/453-6573.
Teachers from as far away as Quincy will participate in hands-on, applied and activity-oriented workshops. An exhibit room with 23 presenters will illustrate the latest items, experiments and techniques used in the science classroom.
Teachers will view a laboratory demonstration of classroom uses of liquid nitrogen, learn about ways to integrate science concepts with agricultural activities, and bringing excitement to science labs using calculators and computers.
This is a chance for teachers to come and get ideas about other teaching practices, see what other teachers are doing and connect with other teachers in the field," said SIUC mathematics professor Kathy Pericak-Spector.
Pericak-Spector and Suzanne Asaturian, a science teacher at Carbondale Community High School, are co-chairing the conference. Asaturian first suggested the annual conference because there are not many conferences in the southern part of Illinois that elementary and high school teachers can attend, Pericak-Spector said.
The registration fee is $65. Teachers participating in the conference also may earn up to 3 Continuing Professional Development Units.
The conference program is available on the Web at http://www.dce.siu.edu/conferences/031002sciencesouth.htm .
SIUC's Division of Continuing Education is coordinating the event.
Providing continuing education programs for professionals is among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the long-range development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.
For more information concerning registration, call the SIUC Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751.