The Earth Science II - The Solid Earth
course will focus on the characteristics that describe and
the processes that govern the solid earth. Basic earth and
planetary science concepts will be emphasized including the
study of the properties of rocks, minerals, and soils; the
dynamics of plate tectonics; surficial processes and landforms;
fossils and the fossil record; and geography and the principles
of mapping.
The
course will help teachers train students in
the fundamental concepts of Earth Science (as outlined in
the Massachusetts State Science Frameworks) by illustrating
how these learning standards can be used to address current
environmental issues (natural disasters, natural resources,
and urban planning) that may elicit and engage the interests
of students.
The
course will expose students to the current state of knowledge
in the scientific community through laboratory and field activities,
outside reading, classroom presentations, and challenging
classroom discussions. Students will participate in laboratory
exercises drawn from national science standards-based middle
and high school instructional materials which will allow them
to review these teaching materials and methods, as well as
develop research-based strategies for communicating with all
students, especially English language learners and students
with special needs.
New England-specific curriculum will include Saturday field trips to the rock formations found at Northeastern's Marine Science Center in Nahant, at World's End Reservation (Hingham) and Thompson Island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, as well as in the building stones of downtown Boston.
Course Number:
GEO
6502
Session:
Fall
Session 2010
Dates:
September
14, 18 (Saturday), 21, 28; October 5, 12, 16 (Saturday), 19, 26, 30 (Saturday); November 2, 9, 16, 20 (Saturday), 23, 30.
Times:
5:30 - 8:30 PM on Tuesday dates, Saturday field trips 8AM-2PM
Location:
Northeastern
University
Building/Room:
Forsyth Building - Room 231
Course Tuition Payment/Graduate Credit:
Northeastern University will grant 4 quarter hours of graduate credit for satisfactory completion of this course (equivalent to 3 semester hours). Tuition for the course will be $600 for teachers from all school districts (with $18.25 in mandatory university fees). The total cost of the course will be $618.25. Teachers will be billed directly for the total cost of the course (the bill will be issued by Northeastern close to the end of the course). As such, teachers will not need to make a tuition payment on the first day of class. Teachers
wishing to receive a stipend for the course MUST take the
course for graduate credit.
Stipend Information:
Teachers from partner school districts are eligible to earn stipends of $600 which will directly cover the cost of tuition (not university fees). Stipends will be issued to teachers once all required work has been submitted and a passing letter grade has been issued. NOTE: All students MUST take the course for graduate credit (Boston Public Schools teachers will receive up to 60 PDPs as well, pro-rated based upon attendance).
Attendance Policy:
In
order to receive graduate credit for this course, participants
may not miss in excess of 8 instructional hours
over the duration of the course. Any hours missed up until
this point must be cleared with the instructional team, and
alternative arrangements must be made to make up the work
if necessary.
Syllabus:
TBA
Instructional Team:
Malcolm
Pringle (NEU adjunct), Bruce Kamerer (BPS), Maria Vugrin (BPS).
Notes:
Parking passes will be provided to course participants
A
$50 non-refundable course registration fee is required to
secure your position within the class. (Registration refunds are permitted with written cancellation before two weeks prior to the start of the course - September 1). Please make the check
out to "Northeastern University" with the
name of the course and your e-mail address in the memo line.
Check Mailing Address Information:
Please send the check to:
Nick Smetana
Center for STEM Education
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue, 520 INV
Boston, MA 02115
