Happy New Year! As we prepare for all things this month and into the new calendar, here’s a few updates from your resource hub for science and math learning.
Teacher Twilight NEXT WEEK:
An Evening at the Planetarium
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Weber State University’s Ott Planetarium in Lind Lecture Hall
We’ll enjoy a produced show, run the planetarium machinery through all its capabilities, and just generally see what this new system can do.
Want to know about our planetarium, its digital projection system, and what it can do for you and your students? Or, do you just want to look at the cosmos in an immersive environment? Or, want to sit in a dark room in a comfy chair and not have to talk to anyone for an hour? All this and more is available to you for this session that is only as interactive as you'd like it to be.
Really, this new projection system is a hidden treasure of Weber State University, and we'd love to share it with you. For more information about Ott Planetarium and its services, take a look here: https://www.weber.edu/ottplanetarium
Note: While we usually have a light dinner at our events, for the planetarium we'll just provide a few snacks, like on an airplane. Maybe, once we land, you’ll want to go out for dinner with friends.
Here’s a flier you can share with others, in addition to this post. Please RSVP here.
Planning Ahead
In February, botanists will be sharing resources on plants’ seasonal changes, things to watch out for as we anticipate spring. That event on February 20 and many others are pinned on our calendar.
Speaking of calendars and seasons, we’re starting to think ahead to this summer. We’re partnering with UtSTA and others to offer courses here at Weber that are supported by the state and provide potential for endorsements as well as just a good experience. Some new things include Chemistry Modeling and a planned Advanced Physics Lab for Teachers. Have other needs in mind in the near or distant future? A course, workshop, or materials that you need? Let us know!
An image to wonder about
Leslie, who works in CSME and makes sure that all of the gears are turning, not-so-secretly loves to geek out with the science and math education folks here. Once she let us put the Geiger counter next to her thyroid to take advantage of some radioactive diagnostics. She also regularly shares her photos of adventure and wonder. Here’s one of several images she captured with a friend last weekend:
Let us know in the poll what you think it is and we’ll reveal the answer in an update at Teacher Twilight and in a quick note. Better yet, show this to students and see what they notice and wonder, and maybe even what they think this is. We’d love to know how this could play into your science, math, writing, art, or other curriculum.
Kitchen Science
Maybe more mundane, here’s Adam playing with his food. There are two eggs, each from the same carton. They behave much differently:
What’s going on? Maybe students have ideas and even predictions they can put to a test.
Keep spinning to maintain your balance in the new year. Reach out if there’s anything we can do to prop you up.
Adam, CSME Director
ajohnston@weber.edu
P.S.: Thanks for your feedback on our podcast idea from last month. We’re starting to make some first steps on the project. Let us know what suggestions or requests you have!