FALL 2001 MEETING AND PROGRESS NOTES


CTS Progress Report:

Meeting  #1 - September 14th, 2001, CSUN Chemistry Dept. Conference Room:

Participants
:
Robert Park, Ph.D., Assoc. Dean, College of Science and Math, CSUN
Sandra L. Jewett, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, CSUN
Omar Zahir, Professor of Chemistry, CSUN
Judie Flint Baumwirt, Granada Hills High School/CSUN MST Magnet
Debbie Bennett, Canoga Park High School
Gary Bowen, El Camino Real High School
Myra Fleming, Birmingham High School
Dave Kukla, North Holly HS/Van Nuys MST
Bill Lee, Granada Hills High School
Lisa Yiu, Granada Hills High School

At this first meeting the discussion revolved around the role of the Chemistry Department and  CSUN in the support and continuing education of local high school chemistry teachers.  Teacher needs and possible solutions were discussed.

Needs Identified:

1.     Needs identified to support new and emergency credentialed chemistry teachers:
a.     in the form of training in safety, laboratory set up
b.     creation of prepackaged class sets of laboratory kits complete with benchmark laboratory assignments, pre-prepared solutions and all materials needed to complete the tasks as well as  assessment materials.

2.    Needs identified for all chemistry teachers:
a.   Development of materials that are standards-based exemplary benchmark assignments, laboratory experiments, etc. including assessment and a means of data collection for review and future revision.
b.   Voluntary, rotating part-time CSUN Chemistry and Biology students to serve as laboratory assistants to help setup and lab prep in local high schools.
c.  Sharing of recommended instructional materials currently in use.

Response/Outcomes:

1.    Dr. Jewett and Dr. Zahir of California State University, Northridge Chemistry Department have drafted documents for two new experimental courses (Chemistry 499V (volunteers for high school) and 5XX for helping new chem teachers get started with labs). 
2.    Paperwork has been requested by CSUN to host the Flinn Scientific Chemistry Teacher Workshop for Summer 2001.
3.    Participating high school teachers have committed to begin pooling laboratory information and materials to develop benchmark projects in chemistry to be prepackaged into kits and made available to new and emergency credentialed teachers.  Funding for these kits to allow them to be made available at minimal cost will be sought at a later date.

4.    Participants were requested to bring a copy of a recommended activity currently in use in their program for sharing.
5.   Next meeting scheduled at CSUN for 6:022 pm on Wednesday, October 23rd in honor of National Mole Day.
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Meeting #2, October 23, 2001, CSUN Science 3:

Participants:
Henry Abrash, Professor of Chemistry, CSUN
Sandra L. Jewett, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, CSUN
Omar Zahir, Professor of Chemistry, CSUN
Judie Flint Baumwirt, Granada Hills High School/CSUN MST Magnet
Debbie Bennett, Canoga Park High School
Gary Bowen, El Camino Real High School
Myra Fleming, Birmingham High School
R. Natasha Galvez, Chatsworth High School
Susana Halpine, Artist Biochemist, Candle Light Productions
Dave Kukla, North Holly HS/Van Nuys MST
Sarah Vos, Hoover High School

Presentation on utilizing Flash for visual interpretation of concepts

Guest Speaker, Susana Halpine, Artist and Biochemist  - Art and Chemistry

Meeting discussion:  Needs identified:
1.    Flash initial training workshop for instructional staff.
2.    Equipment, facilities and assistance in providing the required laboratory experience for AP Chemistry students
3.    Request for field trips from area high school chemistry classes to the CSUN Chemistry Department for investigation of programs, laboratory settings and opportunities in education at CSUN.
4.    Benchmark assignment/project development.


Response/Outcomes:

 1.1.  CSUN will investigate the possibility offering a two-day student workshop to complete four AP laboratory experiences required by the College Board.

a.    Attendance by area AP high school teachers and their students will be voluntary and by reservation.
b.    Possible dates would be Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, January 2, 3 or 4th, 2002.
c.    Project Director will conduct a poll of area high schools to verify interest and possible attendance in support of CSUN's offering the AP laboratory opportunity.

3. 2.  Dr. Zahir at CSUN suggested that it is entirely possible for individual teachers/schools arrange for field trips to the department and that a short introduction may be arranged between laboratory activities at the time of the AP Chem Lab Workshops in January 2002.

4. 3.  Benchmark project work will begin at next meeting.  Participants are requested to bring an appropriate lab for sharing and review.

5. 4.  Next meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 5:00 pm November 27th pending investigation of conflict with required LAUSD area staff meetings on that date.  It will be held at Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Avenue, Granada Hills in Room C-5. Upcoming agenda items suggested:
a.   Technology in the Classroom demonstrations
b.   Finding funding for equipment and program development
c.   Benchmark projects/laboratory program development (confirmed agenda items)

Follow-up items:
AP Workshop Support of Required Labs - Date/Approval/Info
Outcome of Poll of possible participants
Benchmark laboratory/activities/lesson plan idea submissions

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