Saturday, July 3, 2010

Chemistry Modeling

A few weeks ago, I got an email that was a forward from a forward from my principal. It was about a chemistry modeling workshop that was being offered at a university near me. I had heard people talking about modeling on the NSTA list serve, but didn't know very much about it. I only really knew I had always thought it sounded interesting when it was mentioned.

I emailed the lady in charge and was told the workshop was full. Darn. Maybe next time.

A few days later, I got a call from the professor in charge, was informed of a cancellation and am I still interested in attending. Of course I am.

THEN I went to the workshop website to find out more about the whole thing. In some unbelievable stroke of luck, I discovered the workshop was FREE. Plus, I was going to earn 3 credit hours. AND I get a stipend. I will also receive a technology package for my classroom.

AND! There are funds available to attend NSTA 2011!!! I am so excited about this last one. I have never been able to attend either a regional or national NSTA, so I am definitely going next year.

All of this along with some good professional development. I know, those three words rarely go together.

What a good summer.

7 comments:

Jason Buell said...

I might be at NSTA! It's local but ASCD is also here so I might have to pick. Is modeling chemistry like modeling physics? http://vimeo.com/channels/modelingphysics

Blog all about it. Really curious.

Tracie Schroeder said...

Hi Jason (love your blog, by the way)
Yes, the chemistry modeling is from Arizona State, as well. They are rumored to have a biology curriculum, but the link is dead at this time.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy you are going to a Modeling workshop! I did Physics back in 2004. It completely changed my teaching and I haven't looked back since! The workshops are so important to really understanding the method -- just looking at curriculum materials or reading about it isn't enough. Keep us posted!

Tracie Schroeder said...

Thanks Frank! I am three days into it right now and can't believe it took me this long to discover it!

Mrs. Tenkely said...

I cannot believe that it is free! I am reading the posts backward so I know what you have been learning and I am amazed. I want to find one of those close to me!

Tracie Schroeder said...

Mrs. Tenkely - I highly recommend finding a workshop. Even if you don't adopt the system for your classroom, it really makes you think about how you teach and what the kids are getting out of it.

Mrs. Tenkely said...

I definitely will look into it, it looks like an excellent workshop!

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