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Summer Science Institute
2008 Program Summary
2008 marks the fourth year for the UF Summer Science Institute (UF SSI), offering two content-rich science workshops this summer. As with all UF CPET workshops, participants will have the chance to work with UF faculty and graduate students, perform authentic research, visit laboratories and facilities, hear talks by research and industry leaders, develop classroom applications, and take several resources back to the classroom. This is an excellent professional development opportunity for science, technology and vocational teachers to increase their content knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience that will renew their excitement in the classroom and their comfort with their curriculum. Participation in this workshop also forms a partnership between the teachers and the University of Florida and encourages further collaboration between schools and the University.
The University of Florida Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (UF CPET) was proud to host 82 outstanding teachers representing 27 counties from across the state of Florida and the country of Puerto Rico. The participants in the two SSI workshops comprised a diverse group of experienced educators teaching middle and high school science.
Each week of the program engaged the participants in various hands-on and minds-on activities.
During Immersion in Science, 50 teachers from the Florida Panhandle investigated different areas of science. The middle school teachers learned more about coastal engineering, utilized the StarLab in Astronomy, made paint in Particle Science, and raced to the finish line in an insect mouth-parts relay. The high school teachers also had a varied and exciting week. Current proteomics efforts were highlighted as well as horticulture research involving different light. The teachers also visited the nuclear reactor and learned more about the role of wildlife forensics. All teachers had the chance to explore the hydrogeology of North Central Florida, perform hands-on biotechnology experiments, and learn more about industrial biotechnology.
Explorations in Life Science focused largely on evolutionary biology. Combining the expertise from researchers in botany and entomology, the participants considered two different approaches to studying microevolution. Utilizing current molecular techniques of DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, restriction digestion, and gel electrophoresis, the teachers compared the genomes of polyploidy plant species. The teachers then explored insect-plant preferences both by observations in the field, the butterfly rainforest, and through an activity they can do in their classrooms. They discussed how and why a new species would evolve, and the evidence needed to demonstrate the change. The teachers heard current UF molecular anthropology research regarding human migration from Africa. Finally, the participants compared the neuroanatomy of different organisms using preserved and plastinated specimens, tissue preparations, and even had the chance to prepare their own slides. The teachers also had the chance to follow water from sinkhole, through a cave system, and finally as it surfaces in a spring.
All SSI teachers were asked to develop a teaching tool that would translate the new information gained at the University of Florida into their classroom curriculum. The SSI teachers return to their communities, having learned the most recent advances in biotechnology and environmental science which, combined with their outstanding teaching talents, will bridge the research community with the general public.
Partial funding support provided by:
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Funding provided by: Panhandle Area Educational Consortium Math Science Partnership http://www.paec-sc-iii.org/
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