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Lunar and Planetary Institute 2008 Field-Based Workshop

“Floods and Flows: Exploring Mars Geology on Earth,” a NASA-sponsored workshop for educators, will be held July 13-19, 2008. Spend the week with planetary scientists visiting the site of ancient Glacial Lake Missoula and tracing its flood waters through Montana, Idaho and into Washington. From these field experiences and accompanying classroom activities, participants will build an understanding of surface processes on Earth, including water flow, volcanism, glaciation and sedimentation. Attendees will extend their understanding to interpret what the features on the surface of Mars suggest about the past environments and history of the Red Planet.

The experience will be divided between the field and lab, where participants work with classroom-tested, hands-on inquiry-based activities and resources that can be used to enhance Earth and space science teaching in the classroom. Participants receive lesson plans, supporting resources and presentations.

Applications are due April 7, 2008.

For more information about the workshop and to submit an application online, visit http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/fieldtrips/2008/floods20081st.shtml. Questions about the workshop may be sent to bnelson@lpi.usra.edu.

U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowship

Teachers with successful strategies for increasing student achievement are encouraged to apply for Teaching Ambassador Fellowship positions with the U.S. Department of Education for the 2008-2009 school year. Teachers will be chosen based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement, and potential for contribution to the field. All Fellows will complete a collaborative project to contribute to the field of education at the national level. They will be encouraged to work with their principals and with government liaisons throughout the year.

The program offers two tracks: Classroom and Washington Fellows.

Classroom Fellows will serve their regular teaching contracts with their districts and will be paid to perform additional Fellowship duties for the Department of Education. As practicing classroom teachers, these Fellows will share an important perspective for — and will gain more knowledge about — education policy and program development. They will share their experiences with other Fellows and with the Department of Education at designated times throughout the year.

Washington Fellows will serve as full-time federal employees in Washington, D.C., from the summer of 2008 through June 2009. They will be placed in appropriate positions within the Department of Education to work on education program development and implementation. They will focus on using their previous classroom experience to contribute knowledge and insight to various Department of Education projects. They will spend the majority of their time working in Program Offices and collaborating with other Fellows. They will spend some time contributing their perspectives to policy discussions.

Applications for this program are due April 7, 2008.

For more information about this fellowship opportunity, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html.

If you have questions about the fellowship, please e-mail your inquiries to TeacherFellowship@ed.gov.