Science in the Rockies 2008 Join Steve Spangler for intensive hands-on science training.
"In twenty six years of teaching, I've never had a better class! The science content was excellent and your teaching style really makes learning fun. I'm still laughing about the flying potatoes."
Join Steve Spangler and his staff of award-winning teachers for an intensive hands-on science training that is guaranteed to change the way you teach science...forever! This boot camp is for K-5 teachers who need creative science integration strategies... who are tired of trying to "squeeze" science into their already packed teaching schedule... and who want to make science even more fun and meaningful in their classroom. Stop squeezing and start integrating! In just two days, you'll be well on your way to creating unforgettable learning experiences for your students.
Take Home Tons of Materials!
Bring an empty suitcase - no kidding. You'll receive over $300 of gizmos, gadgets, hands-on learning materials, hard-to-find supplies and cool resources that accompany the Boot Camp curriculum. You'll also receive a 250-page training manual that details every aspect of your learning experience - from the detailed recipes and instructions to the in-depth explanations and real-world connections. Just in case you can't squeeze everything into your suitcase, we'll make sure the FedEx truck stops by to pick up your take-home box.
Here's Why YOU Should Attend...
- Participate in more than 75 ready-to-use science activities that are inquiry-based, standard-related and kid-tested
- Learn how to connect great science activities with popular children's literature
- Gain a better understanding of the science concepts behind the fun activities
- Feel more confident in your approach to building real-world connections to simple concepts
- Make students want to learn more and more using active learning strategies
- Take home $300 worth of teaching materials ready to be used in your classroom... immediately.
In just a few days, you'll be well on your way to using proven strategies for creating unforgettable learning experiences for your students. You'll learn how to reinforce concepts with hands-on activities and examples of classroom applications. This science Boot Camp focuses on developing inquiry-based activities that promote exploration and strengthen critical thinking skills. You'll leave this seminar with the knowledge, presentation skills and tools to make science a favorite part of your teaching day.
(Return to top) (Register now!)
Science in the Rockies Dates
Denver, Colorado
Day 1 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Day 2 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Day 3 - 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Registration Information
The cost of the three day training with Steve Spangler is $795 - which includes over $300 of take-home materials. Payment is required in advance and is payable using our secure, on-line registration system. The registration fee includes attendance at the workshop, 250-page master handout and $300 of take-home materials. Verification of participation hours will be provided for continuing education or recertification requirements. Graduate elective credit is available for an additional fee - complete enrollment details are provided at the workshop or by calling (303) 798-2778.
Hotel Information
The Sheraton Denver West Hotel is the official conference hotel for Science in the Rockies. The hotel is located just 30 minutes from Denver International Airport. A special group of $119 per room night for Science in the Rockies attendees has been set up. Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservations. Discounted rooms are limited so please be sure to make your reservations early.
Sheraton Denver West Hotel
360 Union Blvd
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
(303) 987-2000
Register Now!
Payment- Payment must be received in full six weeks prior to the workshop to confirm your registration.
Register On-Line - Registering on-line is the
fastest and most convenient way to reserve your space at this
event. It's easy to register multiple participants and even
pre-order additional learning resources and hands-on teaching
tools.
Register By Phone - Just call our toll free number at (800) 223-9080 and let a customer service representative know which workshop location you would like to attend. You're on and off the phone in 5 minutes! We'll send you a confirmation packet in the mail along with everything you need to attend the workshop.
To receive a full refund, cancellations must be made six (6) weeks prior to event. Due to planning purposes any cancellation made after the six (6) week deadline will be eligible for a 50% refund. Workshop kits are not mailed to registrants who are unable to attend the full workshop.
Payment must be
received in full by June 9, 2008 to confirm your
registration.
Mail payment to:
Steve Spangler Science
Science in the Rockies
4400 South Federal Blvd
Englewood, CO 80110
For questions, please contact us at (303) 798-2778.
Credit Card Payment
Credit Card payment is recommended since these events fill up fast
and space if limited. An invoice will be provided for easy
reimbursement.
Paying with a Purchase
Order
To complete your registration by Purchase Orders you must fax a
copy of your Purchase Order with your online confirmation to
303-795-9936. Your registration will not be complete until we have
received a copy of your Purchase Order. When paying by Purchase
order, payment must be received 1 month prior to the workshop to
guarantee your Early Bird Pricing and your space at the workshop.
All purchase order payments must be paid in full to attend the
workshop.
More than just cute ideas... we need solutions!
When
Steve Spangler asked primary teachers what would be the best way to
teach science, teachers responded with a no nonsense approach.
"Give us easy science activities that help our students build
critical thinking skills... to use the scientific method... and are
so engaging that kids want to learn more on their own."
Let's face it, science is already fun, but it also has to be
relevant to the curriculum and to the real world. And teachers need
science lessons that can be easily integrated into all areas of the
curriculum. "The days of trying to squeeze science in at the
last minute are over... we need something new and easy."
The Problem is Serious! Read more...
Bottom line... Steve Spangler will help you take the fear out of teaching science and become a more effective science teacher using simple and inexpensive materials... guaranteed!
Not Your Ordinary Workshop
Steve Spangler's Science in the Rockies is different than any other workshop you have ever experienced. This is not a sit-and-watch lecture. It's hands-on from the moment you step through the door. If you learn best by doing, you've come to the right place. The curriculum covers themes such as air, color, light, electricity, magnets, sound, weather, force and motion and states of matter. Most importantly, you'll learn how to use Steve Spangler's unique strategies for turning ordinary activities into practical experiences that teach solid science.
Here's How You'll Spend Your Three Days
Day 1 is packed with over 30 eye-catching
demonstrations and hands-on activities that help children pursue
the why-factor of wonder, discovery, and exploration. Explore a
number of great science ideas that encourage students to "play
with a purpose." Learn how the instructors use a variety of
techniques and presentation ideas to connect science with popular
children's literature. Learn how to use elements of the story
line to teach and reinforce fundamental building blocks of your
science curriculum. By the end of the day, your head will be
spinning with ideas!
Registration
Information
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to start filling
your bag with take-home demos and hands-on science classroom
activities. You'll attend breakout sessions presented by Julie
Gintzler and Doug Hodous who will share their favorite
standards-related activities and best practices for getting kids
turned on to science. By the end of the day, you'll be
overflowing with creative ideas and practical solutions to
implement in the classroom right away.
Registration
Information
It's time for the dynamic trio to bring out their
best stuff and share their secrets for turning ordinary activities
into true learning experiences. You'll participate in 20 more
cool science demonstrations and hands-on activities that are
guaranteed to get your students thinking about science talking
about science and doing science! There will also be an opportunity
on this final day for you to share some of your best science
secrets and strategies for integrating science into the elementary
curriculum. The final day wraps up at 4:30 PM - you have plenty of
time to catch an early evening flight out of Denver or to head up
into the mountains to enjoy your extended stay.
Registration
Information
Earn Graduate Level Credit
K-12
teachers may earn "graduate level credit," also known as
professional development units through our partnership with Chapman
University. These credits are not part of a degree program, but
instead are primarily used for professional advancement (such as
salary increment steps and recertification). One semester credit is
equivalent to 15 hours.
Here's What Past Participants Say...
The
'Hands-on Minds-on' approach is a wonderful example of how
children and teachers should experience science education. I
continue to support your innovative approach that is setting the
standard for inquiry-based teacher training."
"In twenty six years of teaching, I've never had a better class! The science content was excellent and your teaching style really makes learning fun. I'm still laughing about the flying potatoes."
"A course that allows you to learn and work with other teachers makes so much sense. I keep coming back to Steve's workshops for not only a boost of energy but also real-world applications."
"Beware! These people are mad about science. This is more than just another summer workshop... it's an experience that changed my whole way of teaching."
"The chance to learn the science concepts and activities and then put them into practice is like nothing else I've ever experienced. This workshop enabled us to take some risks...and develop our own presentation skills and curriculum connections."
"When
I walked through the front door, my own children expected me to
perform a science magic show in the living room. The next thing I
knew we were knee deep in experiments and my kitchen looked like a
lab. My children were begging me to teach them science. How weird
is this?"
Mission Control... We Have a Serious Problem
Dr. Joanne Vasquez, member of the National Science Board, recently delivered the bad news in an open letter to the education community.
"The recently released Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2003 (TIMS)-an international student assessment conducted in 15 countries and released on December 14, 2004-tells us that American fourth-graders are doing no better in science than they did in 1995. Ten years later, and still no progress has been made with our youngest learners. But why should we care if six-year olds take science or not? The answer is simple: because future innovations in science, technology, engineering, defense, national security, and a whole lot more could be at stake.
Science instruction has come to a dismal halt or been severely curtailed in far too many elementary classrooms across the United States. While we do not argue that these subjects are also important, science, like all subjects, requires a developmental building of conceptual understanding that must start in kindergarten. Yet many students reach the intermediate and middle grades with little or no science instruction, and if they receive any, it happened when the teacher could squeeze it in.
To effectively improve elementary science, schools and administrators need to value the science education they offer, and they must provide quality professional development, mentoring, and resources to our elementary teachers. This will be vital if as a nation we want to truly see students achieve in science."
The theme for teacher training workshops 20 years ago was, "Science is Fun!" Dozens of professional development workshops and institutes did everything possible to get teachers turned on to teaching science. Steve Spangler refers to this as the "arts & crafts" period of science education training. A survey of principals in the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado revealed that students were having fun doing lots of hands-on activities, but the translation from 'real fun' to 'real learning' didn't happen in most instances. "Just because kids are doing a hands-on activity doesn't mean they're learning," according to Steve Spangler. "We as teachers need to learn how to effectively use inquiry-based activities to teach our students how to better use the scientific method and to stimulate their problem-solving skills."
Yes, science is fun, but now we need creative ideas and strategies for integrating science into our curriculum. The goal of this Boot Camp is to show early childhood educators (K-5th Grade) how to use proven best practices and teaching strategies to make science more exciting, more engaging, more interactive and more meaningful in their classroom.
About the Instructors
Just "google" Steve Spangler and you'll spend the better part of a night watching segments from his television show, reading his articles and browsing over 300 of his hands-on science creations. As a leading expert in early childhood science education and inquiry-based learning, Steve Spangler is the catalyst that drives the ever-changing Boot Camp curriculum. Just visit the website to see Steve in action. Watch the videos
Doug Hodous is best known for his eye-catching demonstrations and environmental hands-on science activities. Throughout his 30 years of teaching science, Doug has received numerous awards and is a frequently requested speaker at schools and science workshops. His practical advice and hands-on teaching experience make him a wonderful asset to Science in the Rockies.
Julie Gintzler is the most recent addition to the Boot Camp staff and has been teaching full-day kindergarten for 17 years. She earned a Master's degree in Teaching & Leadership, a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Kindergarten and an Associates degree in Music Theory. Julie consistently receives rave reviews from participants who attend her conference seminars and teacher training workshops on integrating science and children's literature.
