Digital Resources in Paleontology, Professional Development Workshop

Looking to provide your students with real data for them to examine and analyze? Struggling to engage your students with tangible examples of climate change and evolutionary processes? This workshop will provide you with freely available resources and train you in how to use them.

Advancing the Digitization of Biological Collections (ADBC) has allowed museums and smaller collections to become more accessible through online data aggregators and interactive websites. Many of the Thematic Collection Networks within the ADBC community have produced educational material as a product of their digitization efforts. The paleo-themed programs in ADBC, along with several other outside initiatives have come together to organize a, one-day workshop in association with the 2019 North American Paleontological Convention (NAPC) on June 25, 2019. You do not need to register for the conference to participate in the workshop.

 

 

This will be a free workshop and will provide educators with the knowledge of how to access paleontological-related material, background on the content, and hands-on experience with the activities. The workshop will instill confidence in educators in using the material as they get questions answered and learn the content directly from the experts prior to utilizing the lessons in their own classrooms. Educators will leave with a thumb drive with informational content, lesson plans, other relevant information, and a new network of professionals to consult.

We are working with the University of California, Riverside to provide the opportunity to get professional development credit. Insofar as possible, we will recruit teachers of groups underrepresented in the geosciences. We will be capping the workshop at 30 participants.

Educators that sign up and participate in the myFOSSIL NAPC discussion group, attend the workshop, and participate in program evaluations will be eligible for a $100 stipend.

The overall goals of the workshop are to

1. Raise awareness of resources available for teachers associated with digitized paleontological collections.
2. Connect teachers with a network of professionals, to help them develop and implement collections-based curricula.
3. Increase confidence in teaching about global change and evolution using fossils.

Program Details (Subject to change)

    Application Opens: Feb 1st, 2019
    Application Closes: May 31st, 2019
    Confirmation of Selection: Ongoing
    Workshop Date: June 25th, 2019
    Location: STEM Academy in Riverside, California
    Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

To apply for this workshop please click here.