Meeting Report First Westchester Conference on Science, Math, and Technology Education
by Michael J. Passow
Earth Sciences CorrespondentThere exists in every region the need for teachers of science, math, and technology to get together occasionally for discussions about common themes and opportunities to sample exemplary programs. This was the driving force behind the First Westchester Conference on Science, Math, and Technology Education, held at Purchase College on 7 December 1996. Teachers from all around the New York City region braved forecasts of strong winds and heavy precipitation to gather for the first of planned annual meetings to foster such interdisciplinary exchanges.
Unlike most meetings that are produced by one organization, this Conference was hosted by Dr. Peter Corfield, Director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Purchase College, and co-sponsored by ten organizations: American Meteorological Society's Education Programs; Hudson Valley Council of Technical Societies; Institute for Learning Technologies at Teachers College, Columbia University; Eastern Section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers; National Weather Service's New York City Forecast Office; Westchester Section of the Science Teachers Association of New York State; Southern Westchester BOCES (Board of Cooperating Educational Services); Teachers College Northern Counties Network Alumni Association; Teachers Clearinghouse for Science and Society Education; and the Westchester Education Coalition.
"Digital Technologies and the Possibilities for Education" was the theme of the keynote address by Professor Robert McClintock, Director of the Institute for Learning Technologies, Teachers College, Columbia University. He spoke about the prospects for significant educational change possible with digital technologies, as differentiated from other recent changes in communication. One theme was how educators can generate clearer principles for curriculum planning, design, and investment in new resources. (For more details, see accompanying story.)
"New Technologies and the National Weather Service" was the theme of the featured presentation by Jeffrey S. Tongue and Gary Conte, meteorologists from the National Weather Service's New York City regional forecast office. Using a multimedia approach, they demonstrated some of the new technologies and services that have been implemented under the NWS Modernization and Restructuring Plan, and discussed implications for educators. The interdisciplinary nature of problem-solving necessary in the vital, everyday challenge of weather prediction provided stimulating ideas for the participants from every subject area and grade level.
For many teachers, the true value of the Conference came from the ideas shared by colleagues in the four workshop sessions. Participants could choose from themes focusing around physical sciences, earth sciences, life sciences, mathematics, technology, and elementary education.
Jeffrey Tongue and Gary Conte followed their featured presentation with small-group workshops about "Increasing Interest in Science Using Weather Data from the Internet" and "A New York Hurricane--Predicting the Impact." Harvey Flisser and Michael Katz (Scarsdale M.S.) showed how they have students "Tracking Hurricanes on the Internet."
Modules about waves and coastal upwelling were presented by Doug Blanchard (Shore Regional H.S., Neptune, NJ), Mary Bishop (Saugerties H.S.), and Mike Passow (White Plains M.S.) from the American Meteorological Society's "Maury Project Peer Trainer" pr ogram. Tim Maloy (Lakeland H.S.) demonstrated another AMS educational program, the "DataStreme Project." Teams of teachers, scientists, and NWS forecasters work together through telecommunications and remote learning to develop exciting learning experiences for teachers and students in this National Science Foundation-sponsored project.
Jennifer Brindisi (New Rochelle H.S.) and Chris Schaer (Jeffereson Elementary School, Norwalk, CT) presented slides from "Sea Education Adventure," another NSF summer experience for teachers, this one out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
Other Earth science-oriented sessions included a demonstration of "EarthView Explorer," the CD-ROM-based interactive collaboration of scientists and teachers being developed by Ray Sambrotto, Tim Gardner, and others at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Thomas McGuire (Briarcliff H.S.) described the modifications of the New York State Regents Earth Science syllabus being developed by teams of mentor teachers.
In the physical sciences, John Roeder (Calhoun School, New York City) shared information about "Active Physics: A Course for All High School Students with Alternative Assessment and New Technology." Franceline Leary (Troy H.S.) showed ways to use the CBL in physics, math, and physical science classes. Joyce McQuade (Westchester Community College, Valhalla) followed this with demonstrations of hands-on applications of TI calculators. Jose Nunes (Saunders H.S., Yonkers) also presented new "Engineering Concepts for the Classroom."
Charlotte Stadler (Columbus School, New Rochelle) assisted teachers in "Looking at the New NYS Math and Math/Science/Technology Assessments," a major initiative being phased in over the next few years. Terry Ferrarone (Katonah-Lewisboro Schools) followed up on this theme by presenting "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Performance-Based Assessment in Mathematics."
The other presentations dealt with multidisciplinary themes: "Making Science Enjoyable: A Hands-on Approach for Children in Preschool to Upper Elementary Grades" by Keith Wynne (North Mianus School, Riverside CT); "Science Fairs Updated" by Julie Ann Hugick (Eastchester M.S.); "An Interdisciplinary Model for Creating a Home Page on the Web" by Rock Donahue (Eastchester M.S.); and "Authentic Science Research in the High School" by Robert Pavlica (Byram Hills H.S., Armonk).
Overall, the First Westchester Conference on Science, Math, and Technology Education seemed to meet many needs for educators in the region; and, at Peter Corfield's suggestion, planning has begun for the Second Conference, probably on 6 December 1997. For more information, contact Mike Passow at White Plains M.S., 128 Grandview Ave., White Plains, NY 10605 or "wpms@mail.idt.net (passow)".
(Editor's Note: What Earth Sciences Correspondent Passow only alludes to in his final paragraph is that he was the organizing force behind the Westchester Conference. He deserves strong congratulations for its success.)
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