The Teacher Research Update Experience (TRUE) is an awesome program!

Linda Shepherd
Jonessboro Arkansas
Valley View Middle School
Science Sixth Grade
lshepherd@vv.crssc.k12.ar.us
My assignment is to create the TRUE web page for the 1998 program,  I had the privilege to work with Dr. Mary Jo Koroly and Mr. John Marks. I spent a lot of time in the computer lab learning HTML codes and I also learned to scan pictures to add to the web page. It was great fun visiting all the labs and taking pictures of everyone. I learned a lot about computers and became a very familiar face in every computer lab on campus. I was overwhelmed by the friendliness and generosity of everyone involved with the TRUE program and was thrilled when someone actually asked "me" to show them how to scan their pictures.

I attended the ICE Workshop (Institute for Chemical Education) at the University of Northern Colorado for four weeks in the summer of 1996 and 1997. I attended a two week summer workshop at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida in the summers of 1994 and 1995. We received an overall view of flight instruction and were even given flight lessons in a small plane. I brought back many lesson plans that incorporate principles of flight into my science and math curriculum. During the summer of 1995 I was selected to attend a two-week NASA Workshop, NEWEST, which was held at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This is a workshop for Middle School teachers that supplies you hundreds of field tested materials and lessons to teach space related topics to your students.

The TRUE program has been one of the greatest learning experiences. The seven weeks are filled with fun and exciting things to do. We have exciting lectures, interesting labs, and educational field trips which makes the weeks fly by. The sharing sessions with some of the best teachers in the country sharing their best teaching practices offered hundreds of ideas that we can take back and incorporate into our curriculum in the coming school year. The TRUE program is truly a rewarding experience for all teachers.

Even though Gainesville, Florida isn't right on the ocean , it offers some beautiful scenery. Here are two examples of some of the peaceful and serene settings close to the University of Florida Campus. The picture on the left is the beautiful Rainbow Springs and the picture on the right is the Oklawaha River at Fort McCoy, Florida.