|
Return to Newsletter Index
Newton Network Newsletter
June 2009
Newton Network News:
Finally, summer is here! As the weather heats up, encourage students to spend some of their summer outdoors learning about Nevada’s state parks. There are some great state parks located in Nevada and in surrounding states.
This is our last newsletter until September. It’s been an interesting year with some fun changes and subjects. We hope that we helped to inspire you and your students. We would once again ask you to please pass your newsletter on to your colleagues and let them know that they can sign up for their own newsletter as easily as going to our website (www.unr.edu/newton).
Have a great summer!
In This Issue:
Outdoor Activities and State Parks- Great activities to keep the minds active
Summer AP Workshops- Summer workshops around the state
Summer Camps- 2009 Summer Camps
Newton Network – Newton Network web site updates
Outdoor activities and State Parks- Send the students away for the summer with some fun ideas to try when it isn’t too hot out. We’ve included outdoor experiments, hiking trails and information on our state’s beautiful parks. Also, be sure to check out your city’s website to see what’s going on in your area.
With activities that can be done by any grade level, this site has experiments and projects for curious students to try when they’re outdoors. For younger students, have them try making a garden out of old socks or building a home for a toad; for  older students, try making a miniature waterfall or turning salt water into pure drinking water. (http://www.education.com/activity/outdoor/ )
Help your student’s brains stay in shape by having them check out the Great Basin Outdoor School. Their mission is to ignite student’s passion for learning and foster cooperation, respect and responsibility through hands-on discovery in the outdoor classroom. The school is open almost year round and has several locations around the state. (http://www.greatbasin-os.org/ )
Another option for environmental studies workshops and programs is The Great Basin Institute sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno. All of their information, including calendars and activity information can be found at their website (http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org).
And keep your student’s bodies in shape by exploring the many hiking trails around Nevada. Take the classroom outside and use the hike to talk about nature. Or just let your students wander (at a safe distance) and explore on their own. Check out (http://www.nvtrailmaps.com/ ) for more information.
Check out state parks around Nevada or even around the country. This website features pictures and information on almost every park in the state and in surrounding states. (http://www.stateparks.com/nv.html )
Keep cool with indoor trips like museums. The Nevada Museums Association keeps links for museums around the state. Just click the link for the closest museum and prepare yourself for a fun afternoon of learning with the comfort of air conditioning. (http://www.nevadamuseums.org/ )
Return to Index
Summer workshops and outreach- AP workshops, professional outreach
Your AP students get all the fun during the school year; you should have a chance to improve your AP learning during the summer. All the College Board sanctioned Nevada workshops are based out of Del Sol High School in Las Vegas but surrounding states have workshops closer to Reno and Elko. (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Controller.jpf )
Want to add to your teaching credentials and learn a little on the way? The Annenberg Media group hosts a website with online teaching courses for all subjects and teaching levels. The site and the programs are free online, but they also have the option to purchase a video or DVD version of the program. (http://www.learner.org/ )
The Regional Professional Development Programs host programs for math and science teachers all around the state. The state is broken down into four regions with unique programs that have one basic goal: to help teachers develop resources for their classes. Each site has newsletters available for their region. Check out the RPDPs main site at (http://www.rpdp.net/ ) or click the links below to look at your region’s site.
- Northeastern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program is located in Elko and serves Eureka, Elko, Humboldt, Lander and White Pine counties. (http://www.nnrpdp.org )
- Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program is located in Las Vegas and serves Clark, Nye and Lincoln counties. (http://www.rpdp.net/ )
- Northwest Regional Professional Development Program is located in Reno and serves Pershing, Story and Washoe counties. (http://www.washoe.k12.nv.us/hr/rpdp/ )
- Western Nevada Regional Training Program is located in Carson City and serves Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon and Mineral counties. (http://www.wnrtp.net/ )
Return to Index
Summer camps and activities– Take one last look at our camps before they start. We have found one math camp, two engineering camps, a space/math camp and Kids University planned for this summer.
Reno Girls’ Math and Technology Camp will be once again held on the UNR campus in Reno the week of July 19-24. The purpose of the program is to increase girls’ skills and confidence in math and technology. Deadline for registration is March 27, 2009. Contact the Program Assistant at 775-682-7849 or email mathcamp@unr.nevada.edu for more information or an application form.
Kids University has science programs running from June 6-July 24. Kids can get creative making their own robots from Legos and how to make their own chocolate; there is even a class for 4th-6th graders called KIDS in Space. Registration and information can be found at (http://www.extendedstudies.unr.edu/cxsforkids.htm)
 Introduction to Engineering camps (designed for students 12-14) will be held on the UNR campus June 22-26, July 13-17 and July 27-31. Civil Engineering Camps (designed for students 14-17) will be held July 6-10 and July 20-24. Both camps feature hands-on activities like blasting bottle rockets and creating a digital video game. For more information and the application visit (http://www.unr.edu/engineering/outreach/camps.html )
The Liftoff with Math camp is taking place again on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. This week-long camp gives middle and high school students with a space-oriented mathematical and computer sciences experience. More information and registration can be found at their website (http://edoutreach.unlv.edu/spacecamps/index.html )
Return to Index
Newtown Network Web Site – We have added to the collection of teaching resources this month with updates to the teaching resources. As always, your comments and suggestion are greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact Robert Newbury with any suggestions.
Return to Top
Return to Newsletter Index
|
